At the northern edge of the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An stood side by side with An Xin, watching as disciples diligently placed swords into the mountain before them.
This mountain was barren, devoid of any grass or flowers. Its red rocky surface gleamed under the sunlight, its body composed of specially purchased materials often used for creating formation platforms or forging magical artifacts. It wasn't a natural formation but an intentional construction designed by Gu An.
An Xin turned her head to look at Gu An, curiosity evident in her voice as she asked, "Master, are you building this Sword Mountain to leave behind a legacy?"
Gu An smiled faintly. "You'll understand in time."
Hearing his cryptic response, An Xin's curiosity grew as her gaze lingered on the mysterious Sword Mountain before them.
Gu An raised his hand, and a stone stele appeared, flying into place before the mountain and embedding itself into the ground. With a wave of his hand, he began carving words onto the stele, his fingers acting as a chisel.
An Xin focused on his movements, and even through his strokes, she could feel a powerful aura radiating from the carved characters. It was difficult to describe this aura in words, but it carried a deep sense of loneliness, an inexplicable weight that resonated with her heart.
Myriad Sword Mountain!
Gu An deliberately refrained from using the term Myriad Sword Mountain Ridge. Though it seemed like a small change, omitting a single word altered the cause and effect tied to the name, ensuring its uniqueness. There were countless Myriad Sword Mountain Ridges across various realms, but a Myriad Sword Mountain without an additional descriptor was rare and profound in its simplicity.
As the three characters "Myriad Sword Mountain" were etched onto the stele, the entire mountain seemed to take on a life of its own. Though disciples continued embedding swords into its rocky surface, it exuded an otherworldly aura, as if imbued with a soul.
"When the work is done, no disciples are allowed to set foot on this mountain again," Gu An stated calmly before turning to leave.
An Xin remained in place, gazing intently at Myriad Sword Mountain. She was convinced that the mountain harbored some hidden secret, a profound mystery waiting to be unraveled.
In the days that followed, Myriad Sword Mountain became the talk of the valley. Disciples and visiting cultivators alike marveled at its aura, its name alone evoking reverence. Rumors of the mountain's significance spread rapidly, intertwining with Gu An's rising fame. His connection to the enigmatic Sword Master of the Dao, often referred to as the Sword Master, only amplified the intrigue surrounding him.
Even outside the Third Medicine Valley, news of Myriad Sword Mountain reached the Tai Xuan Sect.
Since Gu An had proclaimed himself as the Sword Master, his reputation had soared to unprecedented heights. Major families and sects began investigating his true identity, quickly uncovering his alias, Pan An. This revelation triggered a resurgence of interest in the works attributed to him, such as Investiture of the Gods, Journey to the West, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. These texts were pored over by disciples and scholars alike, who believed the Sword Master's teachings were hidden within their pages.
Their logic was simple: even if there was no profound truth to uncover, knowing these works by heart would provide conversational material should they ever encounter the Sword Master in person. There was no harm in being prepared.
That day, at midday.
Outside the Tai Xuan Sect.
An Hao walked alongside Jue Luo Sword Master, emerging from the dense forest that surrounded the sect. Halting at the edge of the treeline, he turned to his companion and said, "I only know that my master resides within the Tai Xuan Sect. As for who he is, I'm not certain. If he wishes to meet you, he will come to you on his own. Remember, do not harm any disciples within the sect."
Jue Luo Sword Master snorted disdainfully. "I am the Sword Master of The Grand Sword of the Great Hong. Do you think I would harm mortals?"
With that, he transformed into a streak of sword light, darting toward the Tai Xuan Sect.
An Hao followed closely behind, but Jue Luo Sword Master's aura had already vanished from his perception.
Left without a clear destination, An Hao decided to visit the Third Medicine Valley to check on An Xin.
Half an incense stick of time later.
An Hao landed atop a mountain peak overlooking the Third Medicine Valley. From this vantage point, he could see the entire valley stretched out before him.
Compared to years past, the Third Medicine Valley had become more prosperous and imposing. Each surrounding mountain was fortified with intricate formations, and the valley bustled with disciples engaged in cultivation and labor, their diligence evident in their every movement.
"How things have changed," An Hao murmured, his tone filled with wistful nostalgia.
For a moment, an uneasy thought crossed his mind—what if An Xin was no longer there? A wave of unease settled over him as he continued to survey the valley below.
He was about to leap down when he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head, he saw a figure accompanied by a small, plump white mouse running in his direction.
That white mouse was familiar. An Hao remembered it distinctly—it was Gu An's White Spirit Mouse. The Tai Xuan Sect had many spirit mice, but none were as plump as Gu An's, which made it unforgettable.
Trailing behind the White Spirit Mouse was a young man with a strong and imposing physique.
At first glance, An Hao raised his eyebrows. The youth bore an uncanny resemblance to Gu An, which gave him a fleeting sense of disorientation. What stood out even more was that this young man didn't seem to possess any spiritual energy, yet his physical strength was formidable. An Hao could faintly perceive that his body held a power comparable to that of a Nirvana Realm cultivator.
Intrigued, An Hao's attention shifted to the youth, ignoring the White Spirit Mouse as it scampered past him. His focus remained fixed on the young man.
The White Spirit Mouse suddenly stopped, turning its head to look at An Hao with a wary expression. Its small, beady eyes narrowed as if trying to recall where it had seen this person before.
Feeling An Hao's piercing gaze, the youth instinctively slowed his steps. As a disciple of the Third Medicine Valley, he couldn't afford to appear undignified in front of strangers. His demeanor had to reflect the pride of the valley.
When he reached An Hao, the youth cupped his fists in greeting, his tone respectful yet confident. "I am Long Qing, a disciple of the Third Medicine Valley. May I ask for your name? Are you here to visit the valley?"
The reputation of the Third Medicine Valley had grown significantly within the Tai Xuan Sect, earning it an elevated status. As a disciple of such a prestigious place, even one serving as an attendant could hold their head high in any situation.
An Hao studied Long Qing carefully before asking, "What's your relationship with Gu An?"
Hearing his master's name spoken so casually, coupled with the visitor's impressive demeanor, Long Qing deduced that this person must have a close connection to Gu An. "He is my master. Are you here to see him? He went out earlier today but should return before sunset. Would you like me to escort you into the valley?"
"Your master?" An Hao smirked. "Why do you look more like his descendant?"
Long Qing wasn't offended by the remark. Many people had made similar comments before. He had once doubted this himself, but Gu An had firmly denied any familial connection. Ultimately, Long Qing attributed the similarities to the influence of long-term proximity, which shaped his appearance and demeanor.
Shaking his head, Long Qing replied, "No, I'm not. Though I wouldn't mind if it were true."
An Hao didn't press further. Instead, he chuckled and made an unexpected offer. "Punch me with all your strength. If you manage to injure me, I'll teach you a divine technique for strengthening the body—one that requires no spiritual energy to use."
Long Qing frowned. "That doesn't seem appropriate."
A divine technique?
Isn't one master enough?
He had already learned divine techniques from Shen Xin Zi, but in his eyes, such techniques weren't particularly extraordinary.
An Hao raised his hand, his expression turning playful. "What's the matter? Are you afraid? With such a strong physique, you're hesitant to strike? Are you planning to waste the gifts the heavens have bestowed upon you?"
Long Qing's temper flared at those words.
Slowly, he raised his right hand, curling his fingers into a fist. Visible waves of energy began to swirl around it. His robes billowed as if caught in a strong wind, his long hair streaming behind him. In that moment, his entire demeanor shifted dramatically.
His previously gentle expression was replaced by a sharp, stern countenance that reminded An Hao even more of Gu An.
In a cold tone, Long Qing warned, "If I end up crippling you, don't regret it."
An Hao laughed, exuding confidence. "Cripple me? Even if you trained for another hundred thousand years, that wouldn't be possible."
A glint of cold light flashed through Long Qing's eyes. With a sudden step forward, he unleashed his punch. His body moved like a drawn bow, his right fist surging forward from his waist with unstoppable momentum. The strength of his entire body poured into the strike.
He could feel An Hao's strength, and knowing this, he held nothing back. He would rather give his all than risk embarrassment.
As his fist flew through the air, a deafening roar like rolling thunder erupted. The sound reverberated across the valley, startling disciples far and wide. Those atop the surrounding mountains or within the valley itself turned their heads toward the source of the commotion.
Under the ancient Mysterious Clear Tree, An Xin, who had been deep in cultivation, opened her eyes and frowned in concern, her brows furrowing as she gazed toward the disturbance.