Hearing Gu An's words, Li Ya didn't give much thought to it, nor did he bother asking about Long Qing. He simply began recounting his experiences from the past years.
Gu An listened intently, occasionally glancing at Li Ya. With the presence of the Divine Spirit of Mysterious Divine City, Gu An felt at ease. If there was ever a threat that even Mysterious Divine City couldn't handle, the Divine Spirit would be the first to warn him.
After leaving the Thunder Sea Demon Domain, Li Ya roamed across various regions. Occasionally, he encountered powerful cultivators with designs on Mysterious Divine City, but he always managed to escape unscathed. Unless a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal made a move, it was nearly impossible to seize Mysterious Divine City.
Even cultivators who had reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm hesitated to act recklessly upon seeing Li Ya boldly wielding a pseudo-immortal treasure. Everything about Li Ya suggested a formidable backing. Who would dare provoke someone like that?
The higher one's cultivation, the broader one's perspective. Even if they couldn't discern Gu An's karmic connections to Mysterious Divine City, they could tell Li Ya's origins were extraordinary.
To wield such a treasure before reaching Nirvana Realm was unthinkable without a strong backer. It was entirely plausible that Li Ya's mysterious benefactor resided within Mysterious Divine City itself.
Over the years, Li Ya encountered numerous opportunities and advanced quickly in his cultivation. He had now reached the third level of the Body Fusion Realm.
A Body Fusion cultivator in their early three-hundreds was considered a top-tier talent in the Broken Sea Region.
This made Gu An marvel at Xuan Tianyi's exceptional talent.
Compared to Xuan Tianyi, Li Ya's rate of progression still lagged slightly behind. Moreover, Xuan Tianyi had managed to rise without the assistance of a pseudo-immortal treasure.
Putting aside An Hao's monstrous talent, Xuan Tianyi was undoubtedly the greatest prodigy in the history of the Tai Xuan Sect.
What made it even more remarkable was that Xuan Tianyi wrote books too!
From the Adventures of the Green Hero, it was evident that Xuan Tianyi spent much time adventuring outside, not solely focusing on Qi cultivation.
Could it be that Xuan Tianyi had also comprehended some profound truth?
Gu An couldn't help but wonder if Qi absorption cultivation was merely the most basic and primitive method of cultivation. Perhaps higher-level methods existed, yet to be discovered.
Of course, it was merely speculation on his part. Within the simulated cultivation environment, he had no choice but to rely on Qi absorption to consume lifespan.
While Gu An listened to Li Ya recount his adventures, he also pondered the deeper mysteries of cultivation.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Long Qing stumbled in, falling flat on the floor. Startled, he quickly got up and was about to flee when Gu An's voice stopped him.
"Come in. While you're here, meet your senior uncle."
Hearing this, Long Qing's face lit up with excitement. He promptly approached Li Ya and performed a formal salute, addressing him, "Senior Uncle."
Li Ya scrutinized him with a smile before turning to Gu An. "This boy is…"
"I brought him back from outside when he was just born," Gu An explained.
Hearing this, Li Ya immediately understood. This child was unlike the other disciples from the sect.
Reaching into his storage pouch, Li Ya retrieved a small dagger and handed it to Long Qing with a warm smile. "Consider this a gift for our first meeting. It's a magical weapon, but don't use it recklessly before you start cultivating."
"Thank you, Senior Uncle!" Long Qing exclaimed, his delight evident as he examined the dagger with enthusiasm.
Li Ya then turned to Gu An and joked, "You know, this boy looks a bit like you."
"Nonsense," Gu An retorted.
"I'm serious. If you hadn't said anything, I might've thought he was your son."
Li Ya's serious expression made Gu An pause. A thought struck him.
Could it be that in the simulation, my appearance resembles this one?
Reflecting on it, he recalled that Lu Han's restored face bore some resemblance to his own. As for his appearances in the previous three lifetimes, he hadn't paid much attention. Regardless, they were all handsome.
"Maybe it's because I raised him, so he picked up some of my traits," Gu An said offhandedly.
Long Qing's eyes dimmed momentarily. Deep down, he had always hoped Gu An might truly be his biological father.
Gu An gestured for Long Qing to sit and listen to Li Ya's stories.
With Long Qing joining the conversation, the atmosphere grew even livelier.
By the time evening rolled around, Li Ya finally bid his farewell, leaving behind a generous assortment of medicinal seeds.
Gu An didn't see him off but instead turned to question Long Qing about his recent behavior. "What have you been up to these past two days? Why have you been so quiet?"
Long Qing stammered, trying to explain.
Elsewhere.
After descending from the pavilion, Li Ya approached Shen Xin Zi, who was seated with a book in hand. Bowing respectfully, he asked curiously, "Senior, why are you staying here?"
Returning this time, Li Ya felt that the Tai Xuan Sect had changed significantly. Everywhere he went, he encountered cultivators whose cultivation levels he couldn't discern.
Even within this Medicine Valley, there were individuals he couldn't see through.
It felt as though the Tai Xuan Sect's growth had far outpaced his own. Of course, this realization wasn't shocking to him. After all, his ancestor still resided within the Tai Xuan Sect.
Compared to his ancestor, his experiences over the years were merely child's play.
Shen Xin Zi, engrossed in Tai Xuan Immortal Sovereign, glanced up and replied, "This place resonates with me. I plan to stay here for a few hundred years to cultivate and comprehend the Dao."
Li Ya vividly remembered Shen Xin Zi's overwhelming strength in the Shen Yi Realm. Having such a formidable cultivator around meant Gu An's safety was assured.
With a smile, Li Ya exchanged a few pleasantries before taking his leave.
As Li Ya's figure disappeared into the distance, Shen Xin Zi suddenly said, "Your fate has been disturbed. A calamity lies ahead of you."
Li Ya paused mid-step, turning back with a faint smile. He said nothing, instead stepping onto his sword and flying away.
The incense burned slowly.
Gu An followed Long Qing down the stairs, watching as the boy dashed off into the distance. His gaze then shifted toward Ji Xiaoya, who had just stepped out of her room.
"That man earlier, you'd best keep your distance from him. I can sense that he's about to face a destined calamity," Ji Xiaoya remarked.
Gu An frowned slightly and asked, "What kind of calamity?"
In truth, he had already noticed something unusual.
Li Ya bore the aura of the Sacred Court, not just a trace but a full integration. Gu An speculated that Li Ya had somehow obtained the Sacred Court's karmic fortune. Yet, despite his abilities, Gu An couldn't discern the details behind how Li Ya had acquired this fortune—its nature was shrouded, even to a Divine Thought True Immortal like him.
"I'm not certain," Ji Xiaoya replied, shaking her head. "But the techniques I've cultivated allow me to perceive the karmic fate and destiny of others."
Her dreams were not merely visions of past lives but also a continuation of inherited techniques, divine abilities, and spells from her previous existences.
Now, her cultivation had reached the eighth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, and her progress was nothing short of astonishing.
"It's nothing to worry about. He's destined to survive," Gu An stated firmly. His words made Ji Xiaoya give him a curious glance.
"The moonlight tonight should be quite beautiful. Why don't you join me for some moon gazing?" Gu An suggested suddenly.
Ji Xiaoya hesitated briefly before nodding lightly.
In the Supernatural Realm
The Supernatural Realm Lord and several Spectral Wraith Kings stood by the shoreline, gazing at the towering waves crashing against the sea.
Amidst the raging waves, a figure hovered in midair. Shirtless and drenched, his white hair clung to his back as he panted heavily.
It was Zhang Buku.
"It's done... it's done…" Zhang Buku's face lit up with exhilaration.
Turning his gaze toward the distance, he locked eyes with the Supernatural Realm Lord.
The Supernatural Realm Lord smiled faintly and nodded at him.
Boom!
A massive wave exploded, and in an instant, Zhang Buku appeared before the Supernatural Realm Lord, startling the surrounding Spectral Wraith Kings.
Such speed!
The Spectral Wraith King Qie Wuxing was particularly alarmed. He had watched Zhang Buku grow over the years, marveling at the young man's ever-increasing comprehension and talent.
Given time, this boy would surely become a name that shook the heavens.
The Supernatural Realm Lord looked at Zhang Buku and said, "You've perfected the strongest Ancient Treasure Body. It's time for you to set off."
"Master, where exactly do you want me to go?" Zhang Buku asked without hesitation.
"To another great realm," the Supernatural Realm Lord replied solemnly.
"A great realm?"
Zhang Buku's confusion deepened as the expressions of the surrounding Spectral Wraith Kings grew complicated, each lost in their own thoughts.
The Supernatural Realm Lord continued in a low voice, "The realm you previously resided in is known as the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm. The Broken Sea Region is but a small corner of its vast expanse. Beyond this realm lie many other great realms, comparable to the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm. Their existence surpasses your current understanding. The Shen Yi Realm exists as a force drifting between these great realms, drawing its power from the Extinction Domain beyond the heavens."
"You'll have to uncover the mysteries of the Extinction Domain on your own in the future. For now, understand this: the Shen Yi Realm is a gateway to different great realms. But those realms are fraught with danger, and the ones we can choose from are limited."
Zhang Buku's brows furrowed. His thoughts wandered to Uncle Gu and Li Ya, stirring a sense of reluctance within him.
Clenching his teeth, he asked, "If I leave, will I be able to return?"
"Of course," the Supernatural Realm Lord assured him with a smile. "The dark clouds that once hung over us have dispersed. However, since the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm is under the control of the Sacred Court, our development here is hindered. Sending you to a place where order is less absolute will give you a better chance to thrive."
Relieved, Zhang Buku exhaled deeply. He then asked, "Which great realm am I going to?"
"To Primordial World," the Supernatural Realm Lord said, his tone heavy with significance. "It's a place devoid of absolute order, a land teeming with opportunity for someone like you. However, you must tread carefully. Primordial World is home to the Immortal Clans. There are countless opportunities there, but the dangers are equally immense."
Zhang Buku nodded, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
One of the Spectral Wraith Kings interjected, "Will we be going as well?"
The Supernatural Realm Lord nodded. "Only one Spectral Wraith King will remain behind to maintain our connection to the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm."
"I'll stay!" Qie Wuxing volunteered immediately, drawing the attention of the other Spectral Wraith Kings.
The Supernatural Realm Lord gave Qie Wuxing a long, penetrating look, making the Spectral Wraith King lower his head, unable to meet the gaze.
"Very well, you will stay," the Supernatural Realm Lord decided.
Qie Wuxing's face broke into a smile, and he quickly bowed in gratitude.
Snow fell in flurries, and a lone figure trudged toward the valley entrance of the Third Medicine Valley.
Clad in armor, his frame was dusted with snow. His pace was unhurried but deliberate, his presence steady despite the swirling storm.
Beneath his helmet lay an aged face. His eyes, though cloudy, softened as they rested upon the entrance to the Third Medicine Valley.
"Who are you?"
A woman's voice interrupted his thoughts. Turning, he saw An Xin approaching with a bamboo basket in hand.
The man was momentarily stunned by her ethereal beauty. Clad in a simple white gown, An Xin's feet left no marks on the snow, her entire being exuding an unearthly grace, like a celestial maiden poised to ascend to the heavens.
The man clasped his hands in a respectful salute. "I am Ye Yan. May I ask if Gu An is still the master of the Third Medicine Valley?"
An Xin nodded slightly and replied, "Do you know my master? If so, I can take you to him."
A smile spread across Ye Yan's face as he said wistfully, "I remember him well. He is also my master, though I wonder if he still remembers me."