"This is a Dao Mark, the initial manifestation of the Dao itself. Some are born with such marks, while others acquire them later in life. It's not unheard of to suddenly possess one as you do now. Regardless, having a Dao Mark means you are destined to transcend mortality and become an immortal. Let me congratulate you in advance," Zhang Xianwang said with a warm smile, his eyes showing a glimmer of admiration.
Gu An immediately cupped his fists and replied, "My name is Gu An. May I ask for your name, Daoist Friend?"
He could sense Zhang Xianwang attempting to deduce his karmic threads. However, Gu An remained unfazed. He had long altered the outward appearance of his karma. Unless someone surpassed his cultivation realm, they would only see the unremarkable life of a sect disciple tending fields—mundane and inconspicuous.
"I am Zhang Xianwang, hailing from a faraway land. Our meeting is fated. How about you show me around? I'm interested in learning more about the Heavenly Rankings Tournament and the Tai Xuan Sect."
Gu An naturally wouldn't decline Zhang Xianwang's request. After all, Zhang Xianwang was his intended target.
The two left the Marvel Treasures Pavilion. Upon seeing Gu An's mount, Zhang Xianwang didn't give it much thought. He couldn't perceive the true essence of the Blood Prison Saint concealed by the Return to Origin Dao.
As they strolled, Gu An introduced the Tai Xuan Sect. When the topic shifted to the Sword Master of the Dao, Zhang Xianwang immediately asked for more details about this renowned figure.
When speaking about the Sword Master of the Dao, Gu An's face lit up with fervor, painting an awe-inspiring image of the master, singing praises as though describing a legend.
The Blood Prison Saint remained impassive, but inwardly, it was filled with admiration.
The master's composure is truly remarkable.
If it were Zhang Xianwang in Gu An's shoes, it would be impossible for him to connect Gu An to the Sword Master of the Dao.
Just as Zhang Xianwang considered the Blood Prison Saint an ordinary beast, the Blood Prison Saint similarly regarded Zhang Xianwang with disdain. Both were cultivators who had concealed their true strength, their pride rendering them unimpressed by the other.
Unconsciously, the two arrived near the Heaven-Mending Platform.
Gu An smiled and asked, "The Heaven-Sundering Axe is on the platform. Would you like to give it a try?"
Zhang Xianwang gazed into the distance, shook his head slightly, and replied, "I'm sure I won't be able to lift it. There's no need."
Turning back to Gu An, he continued, "I'll be staying at the Tai Xuan Sect for some time. When we meet again, let me treat you to a drink. If anyone tries to entice you to leave the Tai Xuan Sect, you'd best refuse. Possessing a Dao Mark is a blessing of the heavens, but it can also bring calamity. At least within the Tai Xuan Sect, the Sword Master of the Dao will protect you, and no one will dare act recklessly."
With that, Zhang Xianwang turned and walked away.
Gu An watched his retreating figure, silently acknowledging the man's pleasant demeanor.
I had expected the people of the Immortal Spirit Empire to be unbearably arrogant, given how rarely they interact with outsiders. Yet, this encounter has given me a new perspective on them.
From afar, Gu An's gaze shifted to the Heaven-Sundering Axe. Zuo Yijian stood steadfast beside it, as he had for the past ten years, unwavering in his vigil.
Nowadays, it was difficult to speak of the Heaven-Sundering Axe without mentioning Zuo Yijian.
Gu An's thoughts stirred, and his divine sense, infused with formidable sword intent, forcefully pierced into Zuo Yijian's mind, leaving him momentarily dazed.
Without climbing onto the platform, Gu An turned his Blood Prison Saint mount toward another direction.
Not far away, Zhang Xianwang suddenly halted and turned back, his eyes wide with astonishment.
At the same moment, a powerful surge of sword intent erupted from Zuo Yijian, startling the surrounding cultivators into retreat. Figures began appearing out of thin air, forming a protective circle around the Heaven-Sundering Axe, isolating Zuo Yijian.
Zuo Yijian stood motionless, his eyes vacant. His entire being seemed lost in a trance. The sword intent surged from the ground, whipping his robes and hair into a chaotic dance.
Sensing the unmistakable aura of the Sword Master of the Dao's sword intent, the senior cultivators of the Tai Xuan Sect collectively heaved a sigh of relief.
"What happened to him?"
"That's the Sword Master of the Dao's sword intent. Look closely—Zuo Yijian's sword aura is growing stronger."
"Is the Sword Master of the Dao guiding him?"
"It must be. Given how many years he's been guarding that axe, it makes sense for the Sword Master to lend him a hand."
"So it wasn't a lie? The Sword Master of the Dao really did pat him on the shoulder back then?"
The cultivators whispered among themselves as Zuo Yijian remained immersed in the boundless sword intent, completely unable to extricate himself.
Far below the Heaven-Mending Platform, Zhang Xianwang felt the sword intent emanating from Zuo Yijian and was profoundly shaken.
He was a Unrestrained Primordial Immortal, yet he couldn't perceive the precise moment the Sword Master of the Dao intervened. He couldn't even comprehend how the Sword Master's sword intent managed to guide Zuo Yijian into an enlightenment state.
At that moment, Zhang Xianwang became acutely aware of his insignificance.
An Unrestrained Primordial Immortal might embody freedom, but such a level was still far from touching upon the Great Dao itself!
From the corner of his vision, Zhang Xianwang noticed Gu An's retreating figure in the distance. However, he paid no special attention to it.
The thought that the unassuming figure walking away was the same one responsible for the awe-inspiring display he had just witnessed never crossed his mind.
Gu An didn't look back, quietly hiding his achievements and fame.
The Blood Prison Saint, hearing the commotion in the distance, didn't look back either, for he knew that the legendary Sword Master of the Dao was sitting right on his back.
When an immortal takes action, mortals are bound to overreact. How boring.
After meeting Zhang Xianwang, Gu An continued wandering through the bustling city. He bought a variety of items before finally returning to the Third Medicine Valley.
Upon his return, Gu An sought out An Xin and handed her the items he had purchased.
The Third Medicine Valley housed a diverse collection of medicinal herbs, pills, manuals, and magical artifacts available for direct purchase by the sect's servant disciples. The prices were noticeably lower than those in the city. This was a benefit Gu An provided for the disciples, and it earned their deep gratitude. Even after advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm and leaving the valley, many of these disciples would still respectfully call him "Master" whenever they crossed paths.
After giving his instructions, Gu An intended to head upstairs to read.
However, as luck would have it, Shen Zhen arrived in a rush.
Gu An had no choice but to wait for her.
Over the years, Shen Zhen had diligently contributed to the Tai Xuan Sect, passing on her insights and helping to create numerous jade slips containing her teachings. These allowed disciples to witness visual demonstrations of cultivation techniques and spells, rather than merely interpreting text. This remarkable achievement earned her the genuine respect of the Tai Xuan Sect.
"Hurry upstairs! I've got something good!" Shen Zhen exclaimed anxiously as she rushed ahead. Gu An could only follow her.
Once inside the room, Shen Zhen shut the door. Gu An immediately sensed the faint suppression of the aura downstairs—Ji Xiaoya was clearly attempting to eavesdrop again.
Shen Zhen approached the table and produced a scroll, which she quickly unfurled.
Gu An stepped closer to her side and saw an ancient painting. The artwork depicted numerous unclothed figures kneeling on the ground, reaching skyward. Above them floated a group of cloud-riding beings adorned in ornate clothing, resembling celestial immortals.
"I acquired a fragment of an ancient manuscript and studied it daily, imagining its complete scene. Perhaps there's a Dao guiding me in the dark," Shen Zhen said with a smug grin.
She imagined this?
With Gu An's discerning eyes, he could see the profound mysteries of the heavenly rules faintly manifested in the contours of the painting's environment.
Could there really be a Dao guiding Shen Zhen?
Something felt off.
Why her?
Gu An suddenly began to doubt whether Shen Zhen might genuinely achieve enlightenment through her pursuits of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Moments ago, Gu An had stunned Zhang Xianwang. Now, it was Shen Zhen's turn to astonish him.
Without stepping into the immortal realm, she had managed to perceive and interpret the rules of heaven and earth?
It was simply absurd!
Could she be a reincarnated immortal?
No, that didn't seem right. If she were the reincarnation of a great power, Gu An would have noticed some signs, as he had with Ji Xiaoya and Yang Jian.
But Shen Zhen? She had no discernible extraordinary background at all.