The events within the Great Rift of the Broken Sea did not spread widely, and a Wondrous Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal cultivator vanished without a sound.
Since then, Gu An had clearly noticed a significant decrease in the number of people probing into the whereabouts of the Sword Master of the Dao. It appeared that the Domain Master Qingsongzi and his faction had already made their choice.
If the Sacred Court truly stopped targeting him, Gu An would naturally not pursue the matter.
Peaceful coexistence—this was what he had always hoped for.
The Broken Sea Region entered a rare period of tranquility. Across the land, prodigies and great cultivators continued to emerge, while Gu An remained hidden within the Tai Xuan Sect, quietly observing the shifting tides of the world with amusement.
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
Fifty years had passed.
Returning to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An stood amidst the familiar scenery, a smile gracing his face as he inspected his status panel.
[Name: Gu An]
[Lifespan: 293/470,569,402]
The recent harvest from the Hidden Paradise Cave Heaven alone had increased his lifespan by nearly forty million years!
Incredible!
This marked the first large-scale harvest of medicinal herbs from the Hidden Paradise Cave Heaven. Every year, Gu An planted high-level medicinal herbs there, ensuring that his future gains would only grow larger.
In the fifty years since, the Tai Xuan Sect had flourished immensely. In terms of strength on paper, it had risen to become one of the most formidable sects on the continent, rivaled only by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.
Even though the roster of labor disciples in the Third Medicine Valley had rotated substantially—some leaving, others joining—the scenery of the valley remained unchanged, just as vibrant as it had been five decades ago.
As Gu An walked along the paths, he greeted disciples with warm familiarity.
This scene caused Ji Xiaoya, standing by the loft, to feel a sense of nostalgia.
Having been away for decades, she realized that the valley had remained as unchanged as ever, which stirred deep emotions within her.
Gu An soon approached the loft, his eyes scanning Ji Xiaoya with a subtle smile. "It's been years, and your aura has grown stronger," he said warmly.
Dressed in flowing green garments, Ji Xiaoya retained her graceful poise. Her robes, resembling a dress, swayed gently in the breeze, evoking the illusion of drifting clouds.
She fixed her gaze on Gu An, her expression solemn. "After so many years, you're still in the Core Formation Realm, while I've reached the Divine Transformation Realm. Do you regret it?"
Regret?
Not at all!
Following you around only to face constant danger? No thanks.
Gu An internally chuckled. Over the years, he had often used his divine sense to check on Ji Xiaoya, even intervening a few times to ensure her safety. He knew all too well the perils she had faced.
"Not at all. I've had a good life these years. As for cultivation? There's no rush. I'll reach the Nascent Soul stage sooner or later," he replied with a nonchalant grin.
Ji Xiaoya studied him intently, her expression softening when she confirmed his honesty.
What she admired most about Gu An was his unwavering composure. He never displayed anger or envy, always wearing a smile as if unbothered by the world.
"Shall we talk upstairs?" Gu An offered, his tone inviting. He knew Ji Xiaoya had much to share.
For Gu An, the journey Ji Xiaoya had traversed over these decades was insignificant compared to the strides he had taken. Yet, for her, those years were momentous and filled with meaning. Occasionally, he had overheard her murmuring to herself by the fire, reflecting on her solitary experiences.
Even the elusive Qie Wuxing, who had once trailed her, had stayed in the shadows, merely escorting her for part of her journey.
Once upstairs, Ji Xiaoya began recounting her adventures from the past decades. Her stories were vibrant, spanning battles against demons and monsters, dramatic escapades, and the settling of old scores.
Gu An listened attentively, occasionally interjecting, which only encouraged her to share more.
Over an hour passed before Ji Xiaoya finally concluded her tale.
"Quite the adventure. It sounds just like the stories in books," Gu An remarked, his tone tinged with admiration.
Ji Xiaoya chuckled softly. "I did inherit a legacy left behind by a past life, so the journey was worthwhile. Still, I wonder how far I can go in the end."
Probably the second celestial realm of immortality, Gu An mused silently.
He had already glimpsed the secret realm she had stumbled upon. It was created by a Loose Immortal, meaning her previous life's cultivation likely peaked at that level.
For Ji Xiaoya as she was now, reaching the Loose Immortal stage would be an unparalleled achievement, something far beyond her current grasp.
"What are your plans moving forward?" Gu An asked with curiosity.
"I'll settle down and consolidate my cultivation for a few decades before venturing out again," she replied.
"The Heavenly Rankings Tournament is about to begin. It'll be a great spectacle. The Tai Xuan Sect is no longer what it used to be, so this year's tournament will surely be lively. I heard a Loose Immortal joined the Tai Xuan Sect a couple of years ago. Have you heard of Loose Immortals?" Gu An's excitement spilled into his voice as he shifted the topic to the upcoming event.
Ji Xiaoya gazed at him, a faint smile gracing her lips.
He still loved a good spectacle.
Listening to Gu An animatedly describe the highlights of the Heavenly Rankings Tournament, accompanied by the soothing chorus of insects and distant voices outside, Ji Xiaoya felt an unusual peace envelop her.
Having braved countless storms in the outside world, she now savored the serenity and simplicity of this moment—a rare reprieve from the chaos of cultivation.
After spending the afternoon chatting with Ji Xiaoya, Gu An finally departed from the Third Medicine Valley and made his way to the Eight Views Heavenly Cave, hidden beneath the Xuan Valley.
Within the cave, he approached the ancient Ancient Vine Tree, where a massive cauldron stood amidst a myriad of intricate devices.
In the past thirty years, Gu An had delved into the art of artifact refinement. He wasn't aiming to forge peerless treasures but sought enlightenment through the process of creation.
The artifacts he crafted were exceptional enough to be coveted within the Tai Xuan Sect. However, he did not turn them over to the sect. Instead, he sent them to Xunxian Island to be sold, using the proceeds to purchase seeds and materials for further refinement.
With his Divine Thought True Immortal cultivation and divine sense, crafting Imortal-grade treasures wasn't difficult for Gu An. However, creating an Immortal Dao Supreme Treasure was still beyond his reach.
Immortal Dao Supreme Treasures were the crystallization of a cultivator's lifelong insights and were usually forged by those at the peak of the Ninth Heaven of Immortal Dao. Such treasures were symbols of ultimate power, capable of dominating entire realms.
In the vast Heavenly Spirit World, factions possessing Immortal Dao Supreme Treasures were revered as regional overlords. Yet, individuals capable of wielding their full power were exceedingly rare, and Gu An had yet to encounter one.
Long Zhan possessed an Immortal Dao Supreme Treasure. When he reached the Ninth Heaven of Immortal Dao, his treasure alone would be enough to suppress an entire universe—a testament to its overwhelming might.
As Gu An approached the large cauldron, flames ignited at its base and surrounding mechanisms.
Two vines extended from behind, gently kneading his shoulders.
"Master, are you really going to ignore that guy?" the voice of the Ancient Vine Tree echoed. Its tone, still reminiscent of Jiang Qiong, now carried a softer, more fragile undertone.
Gu An replied calmly, "No need to worry. He won't dare set foot here."
Thanks to the Sword Master of the Dao, the Tai Xuan Sect's reputation far outstripped its actual strength. This year's Heavenly Rankings Tournament had attracted numerous overseas cultivators and demons.
Among them was one aura that made the Ancient Vine Tree uneasy. Gu An had already identified the source.
It belonged to a tree demon that had taken human form. This being had achieved the Wandering Immortal Realm but was concealing its true cultivation, participating in the tournament under the guise of a Mahayana Realm cultivator.
A single Wandering Immortal posed no threat to Gu An, so he paid it little mind.
What intrigued him was another individual—a presence from the Immortal Spirit Empire. This figure, with a cultivation level of Unrestrained Primordial Immortal, had also masked their strength, appearing as a mere Loose Immortal on the surface.
Of course, even at the Loose Immortal Realm, this individual was a highly esteemed guest of the Tai Xuan Sect.
Gu An was curious about the Immortal Spirit Empire's intentions in coming here.
This year's Heavenly Rankings Tournament promised to be a spectacle.
"Master, can you subdue him?" the Ancient Vine Tree asked cautiously.
Gu An, sensing its unease, responded with a nonchalant hum of affirmation.
The vines on his shoulders trembled briefly before the tree's voice chimed again. "Then… can you capture him and let me devour him?"
Gu An froze, turning to stare at the Ancient Vine Tree in surprise. It had been quaking in fear moments ago, yet now it wanted to eat the intruder?
He almost forgot that the Ancient Vine Tree originated from the Thousand Autumn Pavilion—a sect with demonic roots. Naturally, the tree itself might also have a sinister nature.
"Don't get any wild ideas, or I'll eat you instead!" Gu An scolded, his tone exasperated.
The tree had a penchant for devouring sheep, and if left unchecked, its bloodthirsty tendencies could pose a threat to the sect's disciples.
He kept the Ancient Vine Tree mainly for its fruits, which held immense value. To him, the tree itself was not indispensable.
Sensing Gu An's displeasure, the tree fell silent. The vines on his shoulders became more cautious, their movements subdued.
The following day at noon, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Saint into the outer sect city.
The city was bustling, packed with people, with cultivators and demons alike traversing the skies.
Over the past fifty years, Gu An had accumulated more acquaintances in the city. Everywhere he went, people greeted him warmly.
He even ran into Zuo Lin, the son of Zuo Yijian and a childhood friend of Li Ya. Zuo Lin had abandoned the sword path entirely, but he was undeniably a prodigy in his own right.
By now, Zuo Lin had garnered considerable fame as a talented cultivator.
The two met annually and shared a close bond. Zuo Lin immediately began grumbling about his father, as usual.
It was the same complaints: Zuo Yijian offending senior cultivators over matters related to the Sword Master of the Dao.
Guarding the Heaven-Sundering Axe day and night, Zuo Yijian had antagonized numerous figures. This led to frequent intrusions and investigations into the Zuo family. Fortunately, the Sword Master of the Dao's reputation deterred any reckless actions, but the Zuo family still lived in constant fear of annihilation.
Gu An briefly considered whether to offer Zuo Yijian some guidance. Truth be told, he admired Zuo Yijian's unwavering faith—it was the mark of a true believer.
Yes, he'd find an opportunity to guide him. Zuo Yijian's dedication shouldn't go unrewarded.
After chatting for a while, Gu An and Zuo Lin parted ways. Communicating with the Blood Prison Saint through his mind, Gu An redirected their path.
Amid the throngs of people and the merchants' loud cries, Gu An rode leisurely on the Blood Prison Saint, his gaze darting from one stall to another with curiosity.
It felt like visiting a bustling marketplace.
Unlike other events, the Heavenly Rankings Tournament occurred only once every hundred years. It was the most significant gathering for both the Tai Xuan Sect and the Tai Cang Continent, unmatched in its liveliness. The influx of sects and factions brought with them countless novel goods.
After a stick of incense's time, the Blood Prison Saint halted before a building labeled "Marvel Treasures Pavilion." Gu An dismounted and entered.
Inside, the grand hall was lined with shelves displaying an array of treasures. Gu An's eyes, however, fell on a specific individual.
[Zhang Xianwang (Unrestrained Primordial Immortal, Seventh Level): 359,098/700,000/2,500,000]
Two and a half million years of maximum lifespan!
Gu An silently assessed that Zhang Xianwang had the potential to reach the Dao Void Profound Immortal level.
This individual, from the Immortal Spirit Empire, stood before a shelf, idly toying with a broken flute.
Gu An approached, walking past him to stand beside the same treasure rack.
After a moment, Zhang Xianwang glanced at him, his expression shifting slightly as his brow furrowed.
"Young man, where did you get that golden mark on your forehead?" Zhang Xianwang asked, his tone gentle and devoid of the typical arrogance of a senior cultivator.
Gu An touched his forehead casually and replied with a smile, "One night, I woke up and found it there. Why? Does Daoist Friend know its origin?"