"I'm preparing to leave. Thank you for stepping in to help," Jiang Qiong said seriously as she stood outside Xuan Valley, her gaze fixed on Gu An.
Not far from them, several injured disciples of the Gathering Flower Sect were recuperating, waiting for Jiang Qiong to return and lead them.
Gu An waved her thanks away. "If you're grateful, thank Ji Xiaoyu instead."
Jiang Qiong knew Ji Xiaoyu, though she also understood that this Ji Xiaoyu was no longer the same Ji Xiaoyu she once knew.
Instead of dwelling on Ji Xiaoyu, her thoughts turned to the words of the Sword Master of the Dao. In a soft voice, she asked, "Why have you done so much for me in secret, never once revealing the truth?"
Gu An understood what she was implying. Blinking, he replied, "And if I had told you? Would it make you more indebted to me? That would be meaningless. Just focus on developing the Gathering Flower Sect. Life is long; I hope a few thousand years from now, we can still share a drink together."
Hearing this, Jiang Qiong smiled. "Then you better live to see those few thousand years."
"I'll do my best," Gu An replied with a grin.
Satisfied, Jiang Qiong turned to leave, her footsteps steady.
Gu An watched her go, but he felt no melancholy from parting with an old acquaintance. He knew he and Jiang Qiong would meet many more times, and the Gathering Flower Sect wasn't far from him in the grand scheme of things.
Distance, after all, was not measured in steps but rather by the unseen currents of fate that shaped the red dust of the mortal world.
Even if some individuals were to live on, there would always come a moment that made a parting feel like a final farewell.
Once Jiang Qiong and her group departed on their swords, Gu An stretched lazily, letting out a contented sigh.
"Still, I have to face this new life. If I'm already feeling sentimental at seven hundred years old, how will I cope at a million, ten million, or even a hundred million years old?"
These musings brought a faint smile to Gu An's lips.
Birth, aging, sickness, and death were inevitable. Why obsess over them?
Cherishing the connections of a single lifetime was enough.
With that thought, Gu An turned and walked back toward Xuan Valley. His thoughts drifted momentarily to Xiao Chuan.
That brat still hasn't reincarnated?
Gu An chuckled inwardly. For others, one lifetime of bonds was sufficient. But for Xiao Chuan, he was far more greedy.
Five Years Later
Within a quiet courtyard in the Gathering Flower Sect, Jiang Qiong sat across from the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother. After listening to the ghost mother recount her experience, Jiang Qiong's expression turned peculiar.
"You're sure this was five years ago?" she asked.
"That's right," the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother affirmed. "That night was utterly silent. Even by morning, no one came to find me. When I finally stepped outside, I discovered that everyone in the Spirit-Confining Demon Palace was dead. It was the strangest thing—they all looked like their souls had been ripped away. There were no signs of a battle, no struggle, nothing. Not a single demonic disciple survived. Only those of us who were imprisoned were left alive."
As the ghost mother recalled the events of that night, a trace of lingering fear darkened her face.
Jiang Qiong was equally startled, though she hid it well. She had always known the Sword Master of the Dao was powerful, but hearing this description only deepened her awe.
Taking a deep breath, she briefly recounted how she had sought out the Sword Master of the Dao for assistance.
The ghost mother's reaction, however, was unexpected. Her fear transformed into fervent reverence as she exclaimed, "Seeking refuge under the Sword Master of the Dao was the wisest decision of my life!"
Jiang Qiong stared at her, a silent thought crossing her mind: You'll regret this one day.
Her request for the Sword Master of the Dao's aid had been, in part, a way to repay the ghost mother for years of assistance.
But the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother was hated by Zhen Qin, who, by all accounts, could be considered the Sword Master of the Dao's grand-disciple. No matter how she looked at it, the ghost mother was destined to meet her end.
The Sword Master of the Dao clearly didn't pay much mind to the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother.
"The destruction of the Spirit-Confining Demon Palace is an opportunity for us. I've found quite a few treasures there that can aid the rise of the Gathering Flower Sect!" the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother suddenly exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
Jiang Qiong's eyes lit up, and the two began discussing plans to take over the Spirit-Confining Demon Palace.
In the Sacred Court's grand and opulent hall, the Sacred Minister sat on his throne, listening to the reports of the court ministers.
Behind him, the Sacred Throne emanated a faint golden light, as if a figure was sitting upon it, cloaked in divinity.
"Recently, our control over the world has diminished. Even within the territories under our jurisdiction, there have been successive incidents of sects and dynasties being destroyed, yet we are unable to uncover the truth behind these events," an elder spoke with a weathered voice.
The Sacred Minister responded, "In extraordinary times, there is no need to expend effort investigating. The Sacred Court's goal is the Immortal Dynasty. Once the Immortal Dynasty is eradicated, regaining control of the world will be as easy as turning over one's palm. Besides, this gives the masses a taste of how dark life can be without the protection of the Sacred Court. The Sacred Court has ruled for too long, and those born in peace have forgotten the terror of dark times."
His words were met with nods of agreement from many present. The actions of Yuanxu Immortal Ancestor, who bestowed blessings upon the world and even opened the cycle of reincarnation, had given the Immortal Dynasty a favorable reputation. The disparity in the growth of fortune between the Sacred Court and the Immortal Dynasty spoke volumes.
The hearts of the people leaned toward the Immortal Dynasty.
A man clad in armor stepped forward and declared, "The urgent matter now is to cultivate a Free Immortal. Sacred Minister, we should unite the resources of the entire court to elevate your cultivation!"
At these words, many voices rose in agreement, pleading for the Sacred Minister to advance his cultivation.
The Sacred Minister was already at the ninth level of the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, just one step away from becoming a Free Immortal.
"Why must it be the Sacred Minister? Why not the Sacred God?" someone questioned, breaking the momentary consensus and plunging the hall into silence.
The Sacred Minister cast a glance at the speaker but showed no anger. Instead, he asked, "Does anyone else have a different opinion?"
The court fell into uneasy silence as the ministers exchanged glances, none daring to speak further.
Suddenly, with a loud boom, a bolt of heavenly lightning descended from above, striking the dissenter. In an instant, the man was reduced to ashes.
The Sacred Minister stood and announced, "Since all of you wish for me to ascend to the realm of Free Immortal, begin the preparations. I will use the Sacred Court's fortune to attain this breakthrough. Let the people of the Sacred Court witness my tribulation and learn from the experience."
Though many in the hall paled at his casual execution of a courtier, they dared not voice their dissent. Anger and fear simmered beneath their expressions, but in the end, under the lead of a few, they bowed and expressed their gratitude on behalf of the Sacred Court's citizens.
The Sacred Minister raised his gaze. The ceiling above displayed a starry sky, glimmering faintly.
"That man should be returning soon. When he does, it will be my moment to break through. Let the world witness the power of a god," the Sacred Minister murmured to himself.
Meanwhile, in Xuan Valley within the Tai Xuan Sect.
Gu An sat leisurely in the forest, reading a book. Beside him, An Xin was practicing her cultivation, while her gaze occasionally drifted toward An Shengtian, who was practicing sword techniques not far away. Jiang Shi stood nearby, keeping a watchful eye on him.
"Why choose the blade? It doesn't seem that impressive," An Xin muttered, her eyes flickering toward Gu An.
Without looking up, Gu An flipped a page and replied, "Everyone has their own path. Let him be."
"Master, what weapon do you think suits me?" An Xin asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Aren't you practicing with a sword?"
"I don't think the sword suits me. I prefer something like the pen you use—a tool with more originality," An Xin replied.
"Then take your time to think about it. This isn't something I can decide for you," Gu An said, brushing off her question. He stood, tucking The Adventures of the Green Hero into his robe.
An Xin followed him up and sighed with feigned grievance. "How can I decide? I've always relied on you for guidance. You have to help me out!"
Gu An didn't respond. Instead, he looked up toward the sky.
The vast blue expanse above was briefly streaked by a white light, which disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
"Another one has arrived. It seems things are about to get even more chaotic," Gu An thought to himself.
The fleeting white light was, unmistakably, a Free Immortal descending upon the world.