Hearing Shen Xin Zi's words, the disciples in the Medicine Valley erupted in cheers, their previously tense expressions now filled with relief. However, Shen Xin Zi hesitated, seeming as if he had more to say.
He wanted to mention that no continent seemed to have been selected after all.
To obliterate an entire continent required immense power, and as someone at the ninth level of the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal Realm, he would have sensed it.
Still, he chose not to reveal this. There was no need to burden mortals with unnecessary fear. Even if they knew what might happen next, what could they do about it? It was better for them to enjoy this fleeting sense of reprieve and spend their remaining days without worry.
Time marched forward.
As the moon set and the sun rose the following day, the inhabitants of the continent finally exhaled deeply. The Immortal of Death had declared that he would select one continent daily. At the very least, they had survived the first day.
The Tai Xuan Sect regained its composure. Although some noble families had begun their exodus, the sect's foundation remained intact.
When Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley, the valley had resumed its usual order. After Xiao Chuan left, An Xin had stepped in to oversee operations. With her gentle demeanor, she had earned the disciples' trust, and her management had not encountered any significant issues.
Not long after Gu An's return, Shen Zhen approached him.
"Thinking about finding a place to hide?" Shen Zhen asked smugly. She wore a veil, but her crescent-shaped eyes betrayed her amusement.
Gu An continued walking toward a distant garden as he casually replied, "Hide? How do you plan to do that?"
Shen Zhen fell in step beside him and said, "I could seal you inside a painting. If we hide that painting, wouldn't we avoid the disaster?"
"Annihilating a continent means total destruction. Where could you possibly hide?" Gu An asked skeptically.
"Underground, of course. When they talk about destroying a continent, they mean wiping out life and shattering the surface, not obliterating the entire landmass," Shen Zhen reasoned.
"Sounds reasonable. Are you secretly a genius?" Gu An replied, feigning shock as he turned to look at her with wide eyes.
Beneath her veil, Shen Zhen's lips twitched. She could easily discern the sarcasm in his tone.
Gu An continued, "But let's not overthink it. I have a hunch that yesterday, we were indeed targeted. That mysterious pressure we felt wasn't a coincidence. And have you noticed how unnaturally calm today feels?"
Shen Zhen's eyes narrowed as she asked, "You think the Great Cold Demon Sect's assault was thwarted?"
"It's very possible. I trust that heaven is just, and somewhere in this world, there are still powerful cultivators who care for the lives of mortals. The Great Cold Demon Sect and their ilk cannot be allowed to run rampant!" Gu An declared, his tone resolute and his expression firm.
Shen Zhen found herself at a loss for words. She didn't know whether to mock him or admire his optimism. If he were foolish, how could he have reached his current position? If he were naive, how could he have written such masterpieces as Journey to the West?
"Tell me," Shen Zhen said suddenly, curiosity evident in her tone. "You believe heaven is just. Do you think there are true immortals out there? Not just cultivators with great power, but actual divine beings?"
She had long suspected that Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods weren't purely fictional. Perhaps Gu An had glimpsed something extraordinary and woven it into his stories.
Maybe, as Gu An claimed, celestial beings had visited him in his dreams.
The two continued their casual conversation, their words reflecting the greater concerns of the world. Across the continent, discussions of the Immortal of Death dominated conversations.
The general consensus was clear: as long as the Immortal of Death lived, the calamity would not end.
Two days later.
Both Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Qie Wuxing arrived at the Third Medicine Valley, seemingly by coincidence.
The two sat across from each other at a chessboard, exchanging heavy glances.
"You've noticed it too?" Qie Wuxing asked.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord placed a piece on the board and replied, "A net has been cast over heaven and earth. There's no escape."
Qie Wuxing followed suit, adding his piece as he remarked, "And yet you, of all people, claim there's no escape? If anyone has a way out, it's you. I, on the other hand, am entirely trapped."
His gaze drifted toward a distant pavilion.
Ji Xiaoya was his only hope.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord remained silent, letting out a faint sigh.
"What is it you're searching for, anyway?" Qie Wuxing asked, his curiosity piqued. "I've always wondered."
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord did not respond, his silence leaving Qie Wuxing deep in thought. A spark of realization lit his eyes, but he kept his musings to himself.
In the Supernatural Realm.
At the shore of an endless sea, the Supernatural Realm Lord stood before the Spectral Fate Stele, surrounded by seven Spectral Wraith Kings. All of them gazed solemnly at the crimson sky.
Beneath the blood-red heavens, a floating duster hovered in place, gently rotating.
Unlike the composed Supernatural Realm Lord, the Spectral Wraith Kings were visibly anxious. They knew exactly who they were dealing with.
"Supernatural Realm Lord, prepare to join us in battle," a cold voice resonated, echoing throughout the vast skies.
In a distant cavern, Zhang Buku heard the same voice. His eyes snapped open, his brow furrowing in concern for the Supernatural Realm Lord.
The Supernatural Realm Lord, unfazed, asked, "Who is the target?"
"The one responsible for the death of Tian Wuchang," the voice replied, its tone as chilling as before.
The words caused the Supernatural Realm Lord and the Spectral Wraith Kings to pale.
The Great Cold Demon Sect was about to clash with a force that could challenge their dominion.
This battle would undoubtedly decide the fate of this human realm.
In the Star Sea Sect's enclosed world.
An Hao stood at the palace gates, watching the floating islands surrounding him as disciples moved in and out. His brows were furrowed in deep thought.
A figure suddenly appeared beside him—his master, Fu Chen True Person.
"Master! Perfect timing, I have something to discuss with you—" An Hao began.
Fu Chen True Person interrupted him with a stern voice, "Save it for later. Get ready to retreat; we're leaving today!"
"Why?" An Hao asked, his voice filled with urgency.
"The Great Cold Demon Sect is descending in full force. Their target is the continent where the Sword Master of Dao resides. They intend to surround and eliminate him," Fu Chen True Person explained grimly.
Hearing this, An Hao's heart sank. He grew agitated and opened his mouth to protest, but Fu Chen True Person continued, "Your cultivation is of no help to your master. It's wiser to leave early. As strong as he is, he cannot withstand the entirety of the Great Cold Demon Sect. If he could, he wouldn't be forced into a defensive stance."
An Hao clenched his teeth. "It's not my master I'm worried about. I have to go back!"
An Xin was still within the Tai Xuan Sect. How could he abandon her?
Without waiting, he leaped into the air, attempting to escape the Star Sea Sect's domain. But before he could, Fu Chen True Person's duster swept out, its long hairs wrapping around him mid-flight.
"Master!" An Hao cried out desperately, his voice echoing across the realm and alarming other disciples.
Fu Chen True Person tightened his grip on the duster and began chanting. The duster's threads extended further, sealing An Hao's mouth.
"I'm sorry, my disciple," Fu Chen True Person said decisively, his expression hardening.
The surrounding disciples watched the scene in silence, their emotions heavy. None dared to speak, as they understood all too well the reasons behind it. They, too, had loved ones they were reluctant to leave behind.
The Star Sea Sect was preparing to flee.
In another realm.
Li Ya, relying on the power of the Mysterious Divine City, forced his way through any obstacles. Nothing could stop him.
He quickly left the Star Sea Sect's borders and flew over the ocean.
"Disciple, are you certain? There's no turning back after this," a hoarse voice echoed. Standing atop the tower of the Mysterious Divine City, Li Ya turned to look but could not see his master's figure.
He did not answer but instead ordered the Mysterious Divine Spirit perched on his shoulder to advance.
The spirit let out a howl, and the Mysterious Divine City surged forward, speeding toward the horizon.
After flying for a while, with no pursuers in sight, Li Ya sighed in relief. His gaze hardened as he looked toward the distant shore.
"Gu Shidi, wait for me!" he muttered under his breath. "And as for you, Old Ancestor… are you still thinking about me?"
Li Ya's expression darkened as his thoughts grew heavy.
Before, he hadn't fully grasped the weight of the situation—his heart had been consumed by anger over Zhang Buku's transformation into a Spectral Wraith. But when the Star Sea Sect announced its retreat, he panicked.
The Star Sea Sect was a dominant force of the ocean. If they saw no hope and chose to abandon their domain, the situation was far direr than he had imagined.
When he heard the Great Cold Demon Sect was targeting the Sword Master of Dao, he could no longer sit still. The Sword Sovereign was his ancestral master, and while he didn't fear for the Sovereign—who could escape if necessary—he worried about those who couldn't.
He had to hurry.
Li Ya gritted his teeth, praying the continent hadn't already fallen.
Meanwhile, the Mysterious Divine Spirit bounced around gleefully as it leaped through the air, utterly carefree. Li Ya watched it with a mix of irritation and envy.
This creature feared nothing. Where did its confidence come from?
Time flew by.
Two hours later.
Seated atop the tower of the Mysterious Divine City in meditation, Li Ya suddenly sensed a change. He opened his eyes to find the city shrouded in darkness. Instinctively, he looked up and froze, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"This… how is this… possible…" he stammered, his voice trembling. His face was pale, and despair filled his eyes.
At the Third Medicine Valley.
By the wooden fence of the garden, Gu An stretched his limbs, preparing himself.
As she passed by, You Yingying couldn't help but ask curiously, "What are you doing? Didn't you already have morning practice?"
"I just felt like moving. Is that a problem?" Gu An replied nonchalantly.
A great battle was looming.
He had to admit, the Great Cold Demon Sect was terrifying. A dense swarm of auras pressed in from all directions, exuding an oppressive force. When they finally arrived, the sheer sight of them would surely make the hearts of ordinary people tremble.
You Yingying watched him and couldn't resist asking, "Everyone's terrified of the catastrophe. Why aren't you scared?"
"Because I'm not scared, I'm not scared," Gu An replied casually.
His nonchalant tone left You Yingying fuming. She had the urge to hit him.
She truly couldn't understand him. He had been scared to venture out for training, yet now, as disaster loomed, he seemed utterly fearless.
What a baffling man.
And yet, despite her panic, she found herself drawn to talk to Gu An. His fearlessness was strangely comforting.
Gu An, noticing her unease, smiled. "Whether you worry or not, whether you fear or not, it won't change anything, right?"
You Yingying opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.
Gu An drew the Heavenly Solemn Sword from his side and unsheathed it.
The sword's radiant light reflected on You Yingying's face, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Looking at Gu An as he held the sword, she was once again struck by an inexplicable sense of grandeur. With the golden pattern on his forehead, he seemed otherworldly, like a celestial being reborn.
She couldn't deny it—despite his mediocre cultivation, Gu An's demeanor and presence were extraordinary, more befitting an immortal than a mortal.
Raising the sword, Gu An pointed its tip at You Yingying, the blade gleaming in her eyes. Startled, she shuddered.
"If this sword could help you all cut through the fear in your hearts, wouldn't that be wonderful?" Gu An said wistfully.
You Yingying was left stunned, lost in thought.