"Becoming the Heavenly Emperor—is it power and authority you seek?" Gu An asked curiously.
In Journey to the West, the Jade Emperor wasn't described as particularly powerful, certainly not the strongest. Yet An Hao had always aspired to be the strongest. For him to choose this path, had his perspective changed?
An Hao replied earnestly, "I want power, and I want authority. Throughout my journey, I've visited countless places and abandoned many people. But I've come to feel that such a path is flawed. Yet to become stronger, even if it's the wrong path, I can only keep moving forward. If I become the Heavenly Emperor, I can protect those I care about and shelter the suffering common people."
"I didn't expect you to have such a kind heart," Gu An remarked with a tinge of admiration.
An Hao's face turned red as he responded, "Master, what do you mean? Do you think I'm someone who would use any means necessary, someone without principles? I've inherited the values of the Tai Xuan Sect, and wherever I go, if I encounter people in distress and I'm able to help, I will always lend a hand."
Gu An smiled knowingly. He had indeed witnessed such actions from An Hao, though they were not frequent.
Compared to Yang Xian, An Hao still had a long way to go.
But Gu An never had grand expectations for what kind of person An Hao would become. His decision to teach An Hao the path of cultivation was driven by fate. As long as An Hao didn't commit evil deeds, Gu An had no intention of interfering with his choices.
The two continued their conversation, deepening An Hao's understanding of his master.
Though the interaction seemed no different from their previous exchanges, An Hao could feel the vastness of Gu An's character, like an endless sea. Despite possessing peerless abilities, Gu An chose to live in seclusion, engaging with others as an equal.
To An Hao, every word Gu An spoke seemed sincere and filled with wisdom. When his master's current demeanor merged with the image of the teacher he held in his heart, Gu An's words felt like lessons, quietly nurturing An Hao's growth.
Suddenly, a thought crossed An Hao's mind. "Is Yang Jian your direct disciple?" he asked.
Gu An nodded with a smile. "That's right. He knows that I'm the Sword Master of the Dao. I even told him that he has an extraordinary senior brother—but I didn't reveal it was you."
An Hao couldn't help but grin. He remembered Yang Jian vividly. The two of them had even agreed to a duel at the Heavenly Ranking Tournament, a promise An Hao had never forgotten.
"Where is he now? Why haven't I seen him?" An Hao asked, intrigued.
Gu An shared Yang Jian's background and current whereabouts, leaving An Hao in silence.
The Sacred King of the Sacred Court!
An Hao had visited the Sacred Court and witnessed the Sacred King's awe-inspiring presence. A wave of pressure settled on him.
Yang Jian's talent was undeniable, and with the support of the Sacred King, there was a genuine possibility that he could surpass An Hao.
Gu An added, "Besides Yang Jian, I've also taught a few others, both human and demon. Don't underestimate them."
Although his tone was light, his gaze carried a sharp intensity.
An Hao's fighting spirit ignited. He declared confidently, "Master, rest assured—I will always be your most outstanding disciple!"
Gu An smiled and nodded, though his thoughts diverged.
If that's true, wouldn't it mean my teaching ability can't exceed your natural talent? No—I'll have to nurture someone who surpasses you.
An Hao suddenly thought of the Annihilation God Emperor and began to speak. "Master, previously, I encountered—"
"Don't mention it."
Gu An interrupted, his expression calm but firm, leaving An Hao momentarily confused.
Gu An continued, "Your cultivation level is still low. When you delve into the Dao of Karma, you'll understand that there are certain beings whose very presence can be disturbed just by speaking about them. Even if you don't utter their names, merely describing their appearance or deeds can draw their attention. As for that existence, I'll keep an eye on them. Helping you was just incidental, with no ulterior motives. You can put your mind at ease."
Hearing this, a sense of awe filled An Hao's heart.
What kind of realm could possess such unfathomable power?
He adjusted his thoughts, putting the matter of the Annihilation God Emperor aside.
Moonlight streamed through the window as master and disciple continued their conversation. The atmosphere was light and pleasant, with An Hao occasionally standing to mimic past events through exaggerated gestures. Gu An watched him with a smile, much like listening to a storyteller's vivid tale.
For An Hao, this was a rare and joyful opportunity to sit and chat with his master.
For Gu An, it was gratifying to see the confident, spirited An Hao. He recalled the resolute young man who had once faced an unbeatable wolf demon to protect his sister.
Eight hundred years had passed in the blink of an eye.
The youthful disciples he had mentored were now self-reliant, while many of his contemporaries had long since passed away.
As Gu An reflected, he didn't feel sadness. A faint smile lingered on his face.
The old have gone, but the new remain. Such is life.
The night faded as dawn approached.
At sunrise, An Hao stepped out of his room. He looked at the vast crowd of disciples practicing their morning routines in the valley, their synchronized movements creating a lively scene. His gaze turned contemplative.
He had watched the disciples of the Third Medicine Valley train before, but today, their simple exercises carried an air of profoundness. There was an inherent elegance in their movements, a sense of Dao within their simplicity. It was unmistakably a method created by his master—Gu An's vision of cultivating the body through fundamental principles.
Behind him, Gu An walked out, his posture relaxed. Standing a short distance away, he observed the disciples practicing. The sight of over four thousand cultivators moving in unison, drawing spiritual energy from the valley, was both awe-inspiring and harmonious.
"What are you staring at? Get moving already," Gu An said, breaking An Hao's reverie.
An Hao smiled back before making his way down the staircase. He paused at the landing, turning to look back at his master. "Master, what kind of person do you hope I become?"
Gu An glanced at him briefly before raising his head to gaze at the eastern sky. "I hope you become like the blazing sun—radiant and unyielding. Even if you fall into the depths, you should always rise again, reaching heights that others can only dream of."
Hearing this, An Hao instinctively turned to the horizon where the rising sun painted the sky in golden hues. His usual grin faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"I will. I definitely will," An Hao said firmly before descending the stairs with newfound determination.
Gu An didn't watch him leave. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on the east.
The morning sun ascended, lighting up the vast expanse of the valley. It climbed the heavens only to be chased down by the encroaching darkness. But even as night fell, the sun would rise again, banishing the shadows to illuminate the world once more.
When daylight fully embraced the land, Gu An stepped out again, his figure bathed in sunlight. Stretching his arms lazily, he smiled to himself.
"The first day after turning a thousand years old feels no different from any other."
Gu An spoke aloud, his tone light. Today marked a significant milestone—his thousandth year. To him, it felt like the beginning of a new chapter.
Descending the stairs, Gu An was greeted by Ji Xiaoyu emerging from her quarters. Her expression was serious as she approached.
"An Hao's conflict with the Heavenly Demon Sect—are you planning to intervene?" Ji Xiaoyu asked bluntly, her sharp gaze fixed on him.
It had been ninety-seven years since An Hao had left the valley.
The world outside was ever-changing, turbulent with new alliances and rivalries. Yet within the Third Medicine Valley, life remained peaceful, untouched by the chaos. Gu An continued his tranquil existence, unbothered by the world's upheavals.
"Why should I intervene?" Gu An replied casually. "I'm just an ordinary cultivator who enjoys gardening and tending to herbs. I have no desire to meddle in trouble."
Gu An moved forward after speaking.
Since Ji Xiaoya had realized his immense strength, she had stopped behaving like a coquettish young lady, which Gu An found rather dull.
Watching his figure disappear into the distance, Ji Xiaoya remarked, "If he continues to stir up such trouble, the Heavenly Demon Sect will not let him go. You will step in to save him. Based on my investigations over the years, the force behind the Heavenly Demon Sect is the Heavenly Demon Emperor, a being at the peak of the Free Immortal Realm."
Gu An paused, turning to glance at her. "What if, in this lifetime, you surpassed the Free Immortal Realm?" he asked.
Ji Xiaoya froze for a moment before responding, "I am but a reincarnated body. It is impossible for me to reach the level of my original self."
As her memories continued to awaken, the unwillingness in her heart gradually dissipated. She was becoming more like her original self—or perhaps, she was returning to her true nature.
Gu An, hearing her reply, fell into contemplation before moving forward again.
Ji Xiaoya also began to reflect on Gu An's words.
Was it truly impossible for a reincarnated body to surpass its original self?
When considering the path of the Samsara Tribulation and how to ascend to higher realms, she realized she had never received any clear guidance. She felt as though she was on the cusp of grasping something profound, but it remained elusive.
Looking at Gu An's retreating figure, she felt as though his words had been a deliberate hint.
Gu An, on the other hand, was deep in thought.
In the cycles of reincarnation, Long Zhan had once surpassed him. He believed that reincarnated bodies might indeed have the potential to outshine their original selves.
A sense of curiosity grew within him. What would happen if a reincarnated body continued to evolve indefinitely?
However, his interest was purely academic. He had no intention of testing this theory.
Currently, Gu An was conserving his lifespan, preparing for his next breakthrough. Though no one existed who could currently threaten him, he knew the importance of remaining vigilant. He couldn't afford to grow complacent, only to regret it when faced with a formidable enemy.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Gu An made his way toward Myriad Sword Mountain.
A meteor streaked across the sky, catching his gaze.
Another Free Immortal had descended to the mortal world.
It wouldn't be long before another earth-shattering battle erupted.
Battles between high-level cultivators had become frequent in recent years. However, most of these clashes took place in the outer realms, where their combat wouldn't risk shattering the delicate balance of the Heavenly Spirit World.
Gu An's gaze shifted to the depths of the cosmos.
The Black City, constructed by the Annihilation God Emperor, continued to devour the spiritual essence of the Great Dao. Within, Gu An could sense a faint power beginning to take form.
The Annihilation God Emperor seemed to be forging some kind of ultimate treasure. Gu An speculated it might be a supreme treasure of the Immortal Dao.
"Is he planning to use this treasure to force Long Qing out?" Gu An mused with faint amusement. He wasn't worried. As long as the Annihilation God Emperor's true body didn't appear, there was nothing to fear.
Time, Gu An knew, was more valuable than ever.
He arrived at the base of Myriad Sword Mountain. Swords were scattered across its slopes, their blades glinting in the sunlight and casting sharp reflections.
Gu An ascended the mountain slowly, his hands brushing over the hilts of the swords he passed. With each touch, he infused them with the intent of various sword techniques.
The swords he touched lost their luster as if their spiritual light had dimmed. In reality, his sword intent was nourishing their blades, subtly altering their composition using the underground spiritual veins.
After some time, Gu An reached the summit, where he overlooked the countless swords dotting the mountain. His silhouette was spotted by Jue Luo Sword Master, who stood beneath a tree in the distance.
Since arriving at the Third Medicine Valley, Jue Luo Sword Master had not left.
He behaved with restraint, no longer as overbearing as before, driven by a desire to understand Gu An.
Although Gu An denied inheriting the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, Jue Luo Sword Master's intuition told him otherwise.
Perhaps it was due to the connection between the Sacred Heart Sword Dao and The Grand Sword of the Great Hong that Gu An had spared him.
Reflecting on his previous demeanor toward Gu An, Jue Luo Sword Master felt he had deserved death countless times over. Fully aware of this, he conducted himself with care, occasionally mentoring the disciples of the valley.
A figure approached Jue Luo Sword Master, riding atop a sword, and landed beside him.
It was a young man in blue robes. He held a sword in hand and saluted respectfully. "Senior, I have mastered the sword techniques you taught me."
The confrontation between Gu An and Jue Luo Sword Master had not been widely publicized. First, Jue Luo Sword Master had used his sword intent to isolate the Third Medicine Valley from prying eyes. Second, the Tai Xuan Sect saw an opportunity to recruit Jue Luo Sword Master upon realizing Gu An had spared him.
After all, Jue Luo Sword Master was a cultivator of the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Dao. If recruited, he could elevate Tai Xuan Sect to unparalleled heights.
The young man in blue was Xu Jie, the most talented disciple in the history of the Third Medicine Valley.
Xu Jie had heard from Lü Baitian that an unparalleled sword cultivator had appeared in the valley. Being a sword enthusiast himself, he had sought out Jue Luo Sword Master. Out of respect for Gu An, Jue Luo Sword Master had generously mentored several disciples, including Xu Jie.
"Good," Jue Luo Sword Master replied indifferently, his gaze fixed on Gu An's silhouette.
While Xu Jie's talent was remarkable, he was not the most gifted swordsman Jue Luo Sword Master had encountered. An Hao, for instance, far surpassed him, and as such, Jue Luo Sword Master had no intention of taking on disciples himself.
His mind was set on becoming Gu An's apprentice—there was no time to mentor others.
Xu Jie followed Jue Luo Sword Master's gaze and saw Gu An.
His feelings toward Gu An were complex.
Part of him felt slighted.
He believed his talent was on par with An Hao's, yet during his time at the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An had not given him any special attention. This neglect made Xu Jie feel as though his abilities had been underestimated.
Still, Xu Jie had great affection for the Third Medicine Valley. Gu An might not have shown him favoritism, but he had treated him well overall. Xu Jie did not dislike Gu An—he only wanted to prove himself.
Ninety years earlier, Xu Jie had witnessed An Hao's immense strength, further fueling his desire to catch up. But surpassing An Hao was no small feat.
Turning back to Jue Luo Sword Master, Xu Jie asked, "Senior, would you like to see my sword technique?"
"I'm not interested," Jue Luo Sword Master replied curtly.
Xu Jie's expression stiffened.
Jue Luo Sword Master suddenly remembered the valley disciples' high regard for Xu Jie. As the pride of the Third Medicine Valley, Xu Jie undoubtedly had Gu An's attention.
No, offending Xu Jie might displease Gu An.
And if Jue Luo Sword Master hoped to become Gu An's disciple, he couldn't afford to risk it.
Turning to Xu Jie, Jue Luo Sword Master began to assess him thoughtfully.