Gu An lingered at Hu Xiaojian's residence for an hour before leaving. Once Gu An departed, Hu Xiaojian was overjoyed, his face practically glowing with delight.
Having received so many instructions from Gu An, he was confident that the senior wouldn't abandon Xunxian Island lightly. There was no reason for him to be deceived.
Besides, why would Gu An bother lying to him?
He was merely a small cultivator in the Nascent Soul Realm. If the senior didn't intend to help him, a single glance from Gu An would silence any complaints.
Elsewhere.
Gu An returned to the Tai Xuan Sect and entered the Third Medicine Valley, his mind occupied with thoughts about which roaming immortal to recruit for assistance.
Roaming immortals weren't simple cultivators—convincing one to serve was no easy feat.
Nine-Finger Divine Lord was out of the question; Gu An feared exposing himself, especially since Nine-Finger Divine Lord had been to Xunxian Island.
Neither Shenxin Zi nor Qie Wuxing seemed trustworthy.
Still, there was time. If worst came to worst, Gu An could use the Mortal Jade to call for aid, summoning a roaming immortal from the Mortal Peak to oversee Xunxian Island.
After all, Gu An was now the Peak Lord of the Mortal Peak. In terms of foundation, the Mortal Peak was no weaker than the Grand Cold Demon Sect and arguably superior.
While the Grand Cold Demon Sect relied on performing unsavory tasks for the Sacred Court to sustain itself, the Mortal Peak was different. It held prominent positions within the Sacred Court and had, over countless eras, nurtured innumerable immortals for the Court's service. Gu An was confident the Mortal Peak would not fear the Grand Cold Demon Sect.
Of course, the Mortal Peak would not provoke the Grand Cold Demon Sect without sufficient incentive. Offending the sect and its backing Sacred King was not a matter to take lightly.
As these thoughts unfolded, Gu An sighed inwardly. No matter the level of cultivation, relationships and favors always dictated the course of events.
Only when one's strength reached the point of transcending all rules could they truly act without restraint.
The web of karmic connections was vast and intricate, with all living beings intertwined. Even the weakest existence was linked to profoundly powerful entities through the threads of karma.
Gu An scanned the Medicine Valley but did not spot Nine-Finger Divine Lord or Qie Wuxing. Shenxin Zi, however, was still deeply engrossed in his reading of Journey to the West.
Gu An couldn't fathom Shenxin Zi's fascination with the book. It seemed as if the man had grown increasingly detached from the Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect. The usual praise of Buddhist teachings was conspicuously absent these days.
Not wanting to disturb Shenxin Zi, Gu An headed toward his own pavilion.
Rather than concerning himself with the affairs of the world, he preferred immersing himself in books.
All the mysteries of history were laid bare in the pages of a book.
Lately, Gu An had taken an interest in historical accounts.
Five years later.
At 210 years of age, Gu An exercised in the secluded Xuan Valley while observing his attribute panel. His lifespan was just under 600,000 years away from reaching a staggering twenty million.
For Gu An, watching his lifespan numbers increase was far more fulfilling than measuring his cultivation progress.
This wasn't just lifespan—it was the essence of his cultivation!
After completing his morning exercises, Lu Jiujia approached Gu An with questions about cultivating the Innate Reincarnation Technique.
Since Gu An had lifted his cultivation restrictions, Lu Jiujia's lifespan limit had extended to 410 years. In gratitude, Gu An had passed down a more advanced version of the Innate Reincarnation Technique. Lu Jiujia had been diligently practicing it, though its complexities left him frequently puzzled.
Patiently, Gu An offered explanations. His guidance was concise but enlightening, leaving Lu Jiujia visibly invigorated.
Reflecting on the sheer profundity of the Innate Reincarnation Technique, Lu Jiujia couldn't help but marvel at his senior. It was evident that Gu An also practiced the art. Considering the abundance of resources available to him, Gu An's progress far exceeded Lu Jiujia's.
Once their discussion concluded, Gu An departed, leaving Lu Jiujia to ponder his insights.
Gu An ventured deep into the forest and entered the Eight Views Heavenly Cave.
By now, the cave was no longer a closely guarded secret. Even Lu Jiujia knew of the hidden retreat beneath Xuan Valley. In turn, Lu Jiujia kept a vigilant eye on disciples wandering near the forest, ensuring none dared target Gu An's domain.
The Xuan Valley was never short of spies!
Inside the Eight Views Heavenly Cave, Gu An tended to his herb garden, harvesting mature plants and assigning the Gu Corpses to plant new seeds.
Thanks to the Ten Thousand Gu Profound Art inherited from Jiang Qiong, Gu An had achieved significant mastery. While the Gu Corpses couldn't yet harvest herbs imbued with lifeforce, they excelled at planting.
Reclining beneath the towering Vine Spirit Tree, Gu An allowed two tendrils to drape over his shoulders, gently massaging him.
The Vine Spirit Tree had developed sentience, though it rarely spoke. Gu An didn't mind and savored the tranquil solitude of the cave.
The serene environment of the Medicine Valley was comforting, but occasional solitude in the Eight Views Heavenly Cave offered a refreshing change.
Tonight, he intended to stay here, as he expected a visitor.
Settling into a comfortable position, Gu An opened a history book he had acquired on Xunxian Island. The tome recounted the rise and fall of a once-prominent sect.
Time passed swiftly.
Late into the night, footsteps echoed through the cave's passageways. Gu An remained reclined, his attention unwavering from his book.
Soon enough, a figure appeared before him, accompanied by a faint fragrance.
The visitor stood with hands on her hips, dressed in an ornate purple robe adorned with jade ornaments. Her long hair was casually tied back with wooden hairpins, her black locks framing her exquisite features. Her radiant eyes sparkled mischievously, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Glancing up, Gu An studied her before breaking into a smile. "It's been years. Why do you look younger? Practicing some forbidden art?"
The person standing before him was none other than Jiang Qiong, the founder of the Eight Views Heavenly Cave.
Jiang Qiong's Gathering Flower Sect had become one of the top-ranked sects in the cultivation world, even forming alliances with the Tai Xuan Sect. However, its overall strength still lagged far behind that of the Tai Xuan Sect.
"What do you mean? Your grandmaster here has always been youthful," Jiang Qiong retorted, casting Gu An a glare. She slipped off her shoes and stepped barefoot onto the grass.
Stretching lazily, she sighed with contentment. "This place is so comfortable. Even after so many years, it still feels like home."
Gu An stood up, a smirk tugging at his lips. "That coffin of yours is still around. Want to take a nap in it?"
"Do you want a beating?" Jiang Qiong raised her hand, ready to strike, forcing Gu An to dodge away.
With a huff, she looked him over and asked, "Brat, have you been feeling uneasy lately?"
Gu An raised a brow. "What makes you think that?"
"Isn't it obvious? The Grand Cold Demon Sect's Immortal of Death has vowed to annihilate the world. How could you not be nervous? You're the most afraid of death, after all."
"That?" Gu An shrugged. "Of course, it's nerve-wracking. But what's the use of panicking? When the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up."
His carefree demeanor made Jiang Qiong want to laugh. This brat hadn't changed a bit—still so flippant.
Jiang Qiong took a step closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "Do you want to join the Grand Cold Demon Sect?"
Gu An's expression immediately turned odd.
Normally, he didn't keep a close watch on Jiang Qiong, occasionally glancing at her with his divine sense to ensure she wasn't in danger. He had never expected her to form a connection with the Grand Cold Demon Sect.
How had she managed that?
Curious, Gu An probed into Jiang Qiong's karmic ties while asking aloud, "Do you know someone from the Grand Cold Demon Sect?"
A torrent of karmic images flooded Gu An's mind, revealing fragments of Jiang Qiong's past.
It turned out that the continent from which the Ephemeral Blossom Sect originated was under the jurisdiction of the Grand Cold Demon Sect. This explained why the Seven Stars Spirit Realm dared not traverse the Nine Nether Path to another realm. On that continent, the Grand Cold Demon Sect reigned supreme, while the Ephemeral Blossom Sect was merely a local force, completely insignificant by comparison.
According to the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother, the Ephemeral Blossom Sect's corruption was a direct result of the Grand Cold Demon Sect's influence. Long ago, that land had been free from the sect's control.
After the unification of the world, Gathering Flower Sect shared access to the Nine Nether Path with other sects. This allowed the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother to return to her homeland, where she acted as a bridge between Jiang Qiong and the Grand Cold Demon Sect.
The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother was acquainted with a prominent cultivator from the Grand Cold Demon Sect. While labeled a "prominent cultivator," this individual was only in the Mahayana Realm, likely a low-ranking member within the sect.
"Even though Sword Master of the Dao protected this continent a few years ago, how can one man withstand the Grand Cold Demon Sect? He hasn't instructed me otherwise, so I came back specifically to take you there. Isn't it the same to plant herbs in the Grand Cold Demon Sect?" Jiang Qiong said earnestly.
Gu An felt both touched and amused.
Why did this woman always choose to straddle the fence?
Shaking his head, Gu An replied, "Forget it. The Grand Cold Demon Sect is too vast and dangerous. I wouldn't be at ease planting herbs there. Who knows? I might get turned into a pill the moment I step through their gates. It is a demon sect, after all."
Jiang Qiong shot him a glare. "With me around, do you think I'd let anyone bully you?"
"Are you really that strong?"
"In the Grand Cold Demon Sect, I might not be much, but I'm more than capable of protecting you. You'll just need to stay under my wing."
"So, I'd have to serve and flatter you?"
"Exactly. Why not? My feet are a bit sore now. Come over and give me a massage."
"Bah! Shameless!" Gu An scoffed, adamantly refusing to yield.
He glanced down with disdain. Her feet, bare for only a moment, were already caked with dirt and grass clippings.
Jiang Qiong eyed his defiant expression, tempted to tease him further, but decided to address the pressing issue.
Her tone turned serious. "Gu An, this time it's different. The Grand Cold Demon Sect has already sent an army of cultivators. Their power is incomparable to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm or the Star Sea Sect. I've even heard rumors that the Star Sea Sect is planning a retreat. Forget about them—do you know about the Nine Nether Path? Every major sect on this continent, even your Tai Xuan Sect, has members considering fleeing through it."
Gu An remained silent.
Jiang Qiong pressed on. "Joining the Grand Cold Demon Sect might not be such a bad idea. Who knows? You could stumble upon an incredible opportunity. Cultivation aptitude might be innate, but plenty of people rely on fortuitous encounters to rise above their station. Don't you want to pursue immortality?"
Gu An looked at her steadily. "Thank you for your concern, but I really don't want to go. There are too many people and things here I can't leave behind. As for opportunities, what opportunity doesn't come with risk? Even entering the Eight Views Heavenly Cave almost cost me dearly."
Jiang Qiong's frustration was palpable. Why was this brat so stubborn?
Gu An continued, "Besides, I believe this calamity can be endured. I trust in Sword Master of the Dao. I believe that righteousness will ultimately triumph over evil. This world is bound to have countless powerful figures capable of standing against the Grand Cold Demon Sect."
"I read books all the time. Don't they always say that heaven watches over those who do good? The Grand Cold Demon Sect treats all life as insects. No matter how strong they are, such a sect will eventually face retribution. Joining them is not the right path."
As he spoke, he raised the book in his hand, his expression resolute.