Hearing Gu An's reassurance, Wu Jue could only muster a bitter smile.
From the neighboring cell, a mocking chuckle broke the silence.
"One hand covering the sky? The Sheng family really might have that capability!"
Gu An turned his head to see an elderly man with white hair approach the edge of his cell. His bony hands gripped the redwood bars, and his face bore a sneer as he looked at Gu An with disdain.
Feigning a frown, Gu An asked, "What, are you also from the Sheng family?"
The old man laughed dryly. "If I were from the Sheng family, how could I have ended up like this? I'm here just like your friend—offending the Sheng family. The Elder's Hall said I should keep my head down for a while, and that 'while' has lasted a century. The rest of my days will likely be spent here, waiting for the day the Sheng family finally decides to finish me off."
Wu Jue lowered his head slightly upon hearing this.
Gu An, visibly agitated, retorted, "I don't believe it. Can the Sheng family really be this domineering? I'll go see the sect master right now!"
With that, he flicked his sleeve and stormed off.
Wu Jue opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing, a small spark of hope flickering in his heart.
The Third Medicine Valley was filled with hidden talents, and Gu An's adept social skills might actually yield results.
After Gu An's presence faded from the seventh level of the dungeon, worry began to creep into Wu Jue's mind.
What if this backfired and Gu An ended up implicated in the matter?
"Wu Jue, huh? Didn't think you'd have such a reckless friend. Aren't geniuses supposed to be surrounded by hypocrites?"
The old man sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Wu Jue didn't respond, unwilling to engage.
He had long grown used to the old man's sharp tongue and didn't see the point in arguing.
Although Wu Jue appeared disheartened, he harbored a deep-seated determination.
He could still comprehend the Dao!
If no one else would bring him justice, he would someday bring it upon himself!
Meanwhile, after leaving the dungeon, Gu An didn't immediately seek out Lü Baitian.
Rare opportunities for Wu Jue to reflect and grow were invaluable. Letting him endure for a while longer might be for the best.
Instead, Gu An wandered around the Inner Gate City, visiting disciples who had completed their training over the past two centuries, while subtly inquiring about the Sheng family.
Though he had the ability to deduce information, immersing himself in the matter through ordinary means made the process more engaging. If this didn't work, he could always resort to higher-level methods.
Gu An's disciples were scattered throughout the Tai Xuan Sect. His so-called investigation into the Sheng family was, in reality, an excuse to freeload meals and drinks.
By the end of the day, he was thoroughly satisfied.
Based on what he'd gathered, the Sheng family was indeed powerful. While the Tai Xuan Sect housed many prominent clans, only a few were as fearsome as the Sheng family.
The disciples, concerned about Gu An offending the Sheng family, tried to dissuade him from getting involved when they realized why he was asking questions.
When Gu An returned to the Third Medicine Valley that evening, the valley was still brightly lit, and the distant sound of disciples' laughter reached his ears.
With a sigh of relief, Gu An noted how fortunate it was that the influential families within the Tai Xuan Sect hadn't yet targeted the Medicine Valley.
If they ever did, the valley would inevitably be drenched in blood.
Standing beneath his pavilion, Gu An didn't immediately ascend the stairs. Instead, he knocked on Ji Xiaoyu's door.
"Come in," her melodic voice called from inside.
Gu An pushed the door open, stepping in and shutting it behind him.
As he approached her, Ji Xiaoyu tilted her head curiously. "It's rare for you to come to me unprompted. What's the occasion?"
"What kind of question is that? Can't I visit without a reason? Didn't you complain that I haven't sought you out in decades?" Gu An shot back indignantly, turning to leave.
Ji Xiaoyu, sitting on her bed, acted quickly, grabbing his wrist.
"Of course you can visit. Come, sit," she said with a gentle smile, pulling him to her side.
Gu An huffed. "I saw the lights in your room and thought, for some reason, I'd like to chat with you. But your first words irritated me so much!"
"Fine, fine, I was wrong, okay?" Ji Xiaoyu relented with a helpless laugh.
Why was he suddenly acting so childish?
Still, it was endearing. Ji Xiaoyu's lips curled into a faint smile at the thought.
Seeing her expression, Gu An couldn't help but grin as well. "That's better. Today, I saw Wu Jue. Did you know he…"
He began recounting Wu Jue's situation, and Ji Xiaoyu listened attentively. She remembered Wu Jue, so she paid close attention to every detail.
After finishing the story, Gu An moved on to share his encounters with other disciples that day.
For the first half-hour, it was all Gu An talking.
At some point, Ji Xiaoyu began to piece together his intentions. Was he here to ask for her help?
But in the end, Gu An simply sighed. "Even within the Tai Xuan Sect, there's still injustice. Thankfully, the Medicine Valley keeps a low profile and serves the sect directly, so no one dares to interfere. But tell me, why are these families so overbearing? Will they someday overshadow the Tai Xuan Sect itself?"
Ji Xiaoyu replied, "It's possible, but unlikely. If that ever happens, the Tai Xuan Sect would simply become one of their subordinate factions."
"The stronger the Tai Xuan Sect becomes, the more hopeless it feels for disciples stuck in predicaments like this. Sigh!"
Gu An spoke, standing up as he did. "We've talked long enough. You should get back to cultivating. Your potential isn't something Tai Xuan Sect can contain forever."
With those words, he turned and left.
Ji Xiaoya watched his retreating figure, hesitating to speak.
After he closed the door, she couldn't help but mutter, "So he really only comes when he needs something. And he had the nerve to make me apologize while standing there asking for help."
Shaking her head with a faint smile, she pulled out a talisman and began writing on it.
Meanwhile, just as Gu An sat down, he caught sight of a phantom white dove flying past his window, vanishing into the night.
The corners of Gu An's lips curled upward. "Good, she understands things well."
Several days later, Lü Baitian arrived to meet Gu An, accompanied by an old acquaintance—Deputy Sect Master Ji Hantian.
The three of them sat inside Gu An's residence.
Bang!
Ji Hantian suddenly slammed the table, shouting angrily, "The Sheng family has gone too far! These overseas clans haven't absorbed a shred of Tai Xuan Sect's righteous doctrines!"
Lü Baitian's eyelids twitched as he scolded, "Why are you yelling?"
"I'm just furious! Give the order to suppress the Sheng family—I'll back you up all the way!" Ji Hantian roared.
"Why don't you give the order yourself?" Lü Baitian retorted.
Ji Hantian snorted. "The Ji family and the Sheng family are on good terms. I'm caught in the middle—it's not an easy position."
"And you think the Lü family hasn't benefited from the Sheng family? We're in the same boat here."
As the two pushed responsibility back and forth, Gu An found the situation amusing but couldn't help feeling that Tai Xuan Sect had become somewhat hollow.
It was to be expected. Tai Xuan Sect had expanded rapidly, and the local high-ranking figures couldn't keep up with its growth. Naturally, their authority was diluted.
"I suddenly feel like writing a book," Gu An remarked offhandedly.
Ji Hantian's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea. Pan An's influence is still immense."
Gu An shot him a sidelong glance and said, "Sure. I'll write about how the Sheng family is a clan so powerful that both the Ji and Lü families fear them."
Ji Hantian's eyes widened. "Gu An, don't joke about that!"
Gu An's gaze shifted. "I can understand why the Sect Master came, but why are you here, Senior Ji?"
Ji Hantian snorted. "It's because of you. That girl Ji Xiaoya actually stepped in to help you, so I had to come in person."
Gu An's expression darkened. "Back when the Ji family couldn't stop Third Miss from being sent to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, you had no way of intervening. Now, Ji Xiaoya asks for your help, and you claim it's difficult. The Ji family is powerful, yet it seems like all that strength is built on compromise."
Ji Hantian's face turned grim.
Ignoring the tension, Gu An opened a drawer and retrieved the Pen of Destiny. He then pulled out a blank sheet of paper from a nearby stack.
As the mood grew more strained, Lü Baitian interjected, "I believe in Wu Jue's innocence as well, but the Sheng family did lose a disciple, and one with talent ranking among the top three of their generation. The Sheng family needs closure, but I assure you, Wu Jue won't be harmed."
Lü Baitian spoke sincerely. Over the years, Gu An's advice had greatly contributed to Tai Xuan Sect's current strength, and he genuinely valued Gu An's efforts.
Gu An remained silent, scribbling names on the paper. Each name was someone connected to the incident involving Wu Jue—whether from the Sheng family or other clans. These individuals knew the truth but chose to push Wu Jue into the abyss.
If they had been coerced, Gu An could let it slide. But these people had mocked Wu Jue alongside the Sheng family's genius and even attacked him. Their lies were born of self-preservation.
If they dared to act as lapdogs, they should be prepared to face consequences.
"What are you doing?" Lü Baitian frowned, worried that Gu An might do something reckless.
He sighed deeply and cautioned, "The Sheng family has a Loose Immortal among their ranks. Do you know how high the cultivation of a Loose Immortal is? Even if your path to immortality is smooth, you'd need tens of thousands of years to reach their level. Not even Tai Xuan Sect has someone who's lived as long as that Loose Immortal."
Ten thousand years.
The weight of those words made both Lü Baitian and Ji Hantian feel immense pressure. Just thinking about the Sheng family's Loose Immortal filled them with unease.
Gu An paused, his gaze fixed on the names on the paper. A mix of frustration and determination clouded his expression. "I hate my own incompetence. If I were an immortal, how could I just stand by while my close friend suffers?"
With that, he gripped the Pen of Destiny and slashed a bold "X" across the list, venting his anger.
Lü Baitian tried to console him. "Don't think like that. Besides, the Sheng family's anger is mostly for show. They haven't put additional pressure on me."
Gu An turned to him. "Do you remember what I said to you, back when you were still known as Elder Tian, hundreds of years ago?"
Lü Baitian fell silent.
Ji Hantian spoke solemnly, "Gu An, don't act rashly. If you make a wrong move, the three of us could all face disaster. Our families might abandon us, and you could be cast out by Tai Xuan Sect. All of this is entirely possible."
Gu An replied with a calm demeanor, "Fine. I'll let it go. Consider me uninvolved in this matter."
His detached tone made Lü Baitian uneasy. "You mean it?"
"I'm just a Nascent Soul cultivator. I can't break into the dungeon, nor can I step foot into the Sheng family's domain. What could I possibly do?" Gu An answered.
Lü Baitian could only sigh.
"Then I won't see you out. I'll keep in mind everything you've said."
As Gu An spoke, he casually picked up a book from a nearby pile.
Lü Baitian seemed about to say more but was stopped by Ji Hantian. The two exchanged a look before silently leaving.
Gu An felt a twinge of disappointment but understood. Not everyone could act with the confidence he carried.
Still, he had already set his plans in motion. Now, it was up to them to act. If they failed, perhaps it was time for new leadership.
This wasn't about personal relationships. Tai Xuan Sect needed leaders with greater resolve. After all, this was not a sect for aristocratic families—it was a sect for ten thousand disciples.