"Daoist, could you tell me more about the Sacred Court of the Immortals?" Gu An asked, not immediately accepting Bai Ziya's invitation but instead steering the conversation toward his curiosity.
The Heavenly Spirit World was vast, and within it existed a realm ruled by celestial beings. Could this be the Sacred Court of the Immortals?
No, that imperial dynasty, while formidable, was not the pinnacle of power. Within the world of mortals lay an immense continent, whose edges even the divine sense of a Unrestrained Primordial Immortal could scarcely probe. That land must be where the Sacred Court of the Immortals resided.
Bai Ziya looked at Gu An with suspicion. How could someone be unaware of the Sacred Court of the Immortals? Just how long had this person been in seclusion?
Though puzzled, Bai Ziya still answered honestly.
"The Sacred Court of the Immortals is the supreme authority in the Heavenly Spirit World and the origin of all immortal Dao. It is located in the Dao Shenzhou continent."
"Dao Shenzhou is the largest continent in the Heavenly Spirit World. Humanity emerged from Dao Shenzhou and expanded throughout the entire Heavenly Spirit World."
"The Sacred Court of the Immortals does not interfere in the affairs of the myriad regions but safeguards the safety of the great world. Should a catastrophic calamity or invasion by Heavenly Demons occur, they will take action. Moreover, they oversee the world's luck-based sects. If a sect misuses its position to harm the common people, the Sacred Court of the Immortals will mete out justice."
"In the Heavenly Spirit World, the cultivators of the Sacred Court of the Immortals are seen as living deities."
"Not every luck-based sect is granted a throne of fate by the Sacred Court of the Immortals. A throne of fate not only enhances one's understanding of universal laws but also extends lifespan, making it the ultimate aspiration of countless cultivators."
Bai Ziya continued, his tone brimming with pride. "Mortal Peak may no longer be as powerful as it was in ancient times, but its foundation remains profound. Many of our predecessors roam the heavens. If you meet them, they can provide assistance. As a peak lord, your authority is vast. You'd hold a position in the Sacred Court of the Immortals and command tens of thousands of disciples."
Gu An, intrigued, asked, "How does Mortal Peak compare to the Star Sea Sect, the Seven Star Spirit Domain, the Deep Sea Spirit Palace, and the Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect?"
Bai Ziya's expression turned disdainful. "The likes of the Star Sea Sect, Seven Star Spirit Domain, and Deep Sea Spirit Palace? How could they compare to Mortal Peak? Even the founder of the Star Sea Sect once trained under Mortal Peak and owes us generations of gratitude. As for the Seven Star Spirit Domain and Deep Sea Spirit Palace, they are merely third-rate sects. The Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect holds some merit, but that is only because the Divine Sovereign has taken an interest in Buddhist teachings over the past million years."
"When the Divine Sovereign's favor wanes, they might not even survive!"
The Divine Sovereign, the ruler of the Sacred Court of the Immortals, was a figure so exalted that even their true name could not be uttered.
Bai Ziya's scornful tone further fueled Gu An's curiosity about Mortal Peak's grandeur.
Fixing his gaze on Gu An, Bai Ziya said, "So, Daoist Meng, what do you think? Join Mortal Peak. While the heavens lack the oversight of the Sacred Court of the Immortals, background still matters. Mortal Peak's reputation speaks for itself."
Gu An hesitated. "To be honest, I'm somewhat resistant to the idea of obtaining a throne of fate from the Sacred Court of the Immortals."
A throne of fate sounded appealing, but its intricacies and the potential for the Sacred Court of the Immortals to control all who possessed one unsettled him. It crossed a boundary he was unwilling to compromise.
Bai Ziya chuckled, shaking his head. "That's an odd stance. If you don't want it, I won't force you. The spot can go to someone else. Do you know how many would break their heads for a chance at a throne of fate? With one, you'd command respect from any sect under the heavens. So long as you don't act with excessive arrogance, you'd be a welcome guest wherever you go. Not all Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals have such an opportunity."
Curious, Gu An asked, "If it's so valuable, why are you offering it to me? We've just met, yet you're inviting me with such sincerity."
Bai Ziya coughed lightly. "Well, it's because you're extraordinarily talented and lack any significant background. In the Heavenly Spirit World, Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals without sect affiliations are exceedingly rare. Mortal Peak is formidable, but we aren't invincible. Of course, once you join Mortal Peak, you must adhere to our rules. Should you cause trouble, you'd face severe consequences. Mortal Peak harbors beings surpassing the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm."
Reaching small advancements within the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm was already an arduous task, and Bai Ziya himself hadn't made progress in a minor realm for millennia.
Gu An was unsurprised; he had long suspected that Mortal Peak housed Unrestrained Primordial Immortals.
He pressed further. "Why not recruit Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals from other sects, like the Star Sea Sect?"
Bai Ziya shook his head. "It's not so simple. Beyond ties of karma and loyalty, those Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals wield immense power in their respective sects and regions, often monopolizing cultivation resources. Even if you were to join Mortal Peak with a higher status than theirs, matching their level of resource accumulation would be challenging. Conversely, joining their sect would make it nearly impossible to surpass them, as they've entrenched themselves for tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of years."
Gu An found the reasoning sound.
After a moment of thought, he said, "If that's the case, I'll join Mortal Peak. However, I can't go there right away."
"No problem. Mortal Peak won't restrict your movements. In fact, your disciples might prefer you to stay away, giving them more freedom to enjoy themselves. My own disciples and grand-disciples likely barely remember me," Bai Ziya said with a self-deprecating laugh.
He then produced a piece of jade, carved with the image of a towering peak.
"This is the Mortal Jade, symbolizing the status of a peak lord. If you encounter disciples of Mortal Peak or its affiliated sects, you can present this. Of course, with your cultivation level, you already command great respect."
Bai Ziya handed over the Mortal Jade, and Gu An examined it carefully.
Gu An asked, "Aren't you worried I might misuse this jade and cause trouble before disappearing?"
Bai Ziya laughed. "If you cause trouble, the Sacred Court of the Immortals will deal with you. As long as it's clear you never actually resided at Mortal Peak, the court won't hold Mortal Peak accountable. In truth, whenever you display the Mortal Jade, you enhance Mortal Peak's reputation, letting the world know we've gained another Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal."
This revelation deepened Gu An's wariness of the Sacred Court of the Immortals.
No wonder the Seven Star Spirit Domain dared not openly harm the continent's people. They must have feared the Sacred Court of the Immortals.
The Star Sea Sect had even dispatched disciples to gather evidence of the Seven Star Spirit Domain's misdeeds, likely intending to file a complaint.
The Sacred Court of the Immortals protected all living beings but did not shield sects. However, the vastness of the world meant that the court couldn't address every injustice, leaving some regions to suffer beyond their reach.
Gu An continued to inquire about Mortal Peak's influence. Bai Ziya, unreserved, detailed the alliances and rivalries Mortal Peak had cultivated, including its subsidiary factions and adversaries.
Overall, Mortal Peak had far more allies than enemies, which was the primary reason it had stood firm in the world for countless eras.
As their conversation drifted further, Gu An intentionally steered the topic toward the heavens, subtly expressing his yearning for the stars. This was a deliberate move to make Bai Ziya less inclined to investigate his background within the Mortal Peak records.
After talking for some time, Gu An finally bade farewell. However, instead of heading directly to the Heavenly Spirit World, he turned toward the deeper reaches of the cosmos. Bai Ziya watched him leave, his eyes filled with thought.
"He mentioned the Star Sea Sect, the Seven Star Spirit Domain, and the Deep Sea Spirit Palace. These three factions border each other. Could he hail from that region? I must investigate. For such a place to produce a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal with no sect affiliation... how peculiar."
…
After parting ways with Bai Ziya, Gu An feigned heading toward the Void Domain. Once he had moved beyond the detection range of other Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals' divine senses, he utilized the Infinite Free Step and returned to the human world.
Gu An's soul reentered his physical body. Stretching lazily, he sensed the faint breaths of Ji Xiaoya practicing Qi circulation downstairs.
"The heavens may be vast, but the human world gives me peace of mind," Gu An thought with a smile.
He had no pressing need for great opportunities, nor was he interested in risking his life battling Heavenly Demons in the Void Domain.
There was no rush.
With his current yearly gains in lifespan, Gu An couldn't even begin to imagine the strength he would possess after ten thousand years. For a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, let alone a Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal, ten thousand years was not a particularly long time.
He picked up a travelogue and began reading leisurely.
The moon set, and the sun rose again.
The morning sun painted the Medicine Valley in hues of gold as Gu An rose, tidied his robes, and headed downstairs to lead the disciples in morning exercises.
Nearly a thousand disciples practicing together was indeed a grand sight.
Ji Xiaoya stepped out from her room, though she didn't join the training. Instead, she stood to the side, observing the disciples with a calm gaze—a habit she had grown accustomed to.
Once the exercises concluded, Li Lingtian bounded over with a wide grin. "Sister Xiaoya, I've been practicing a powerful spell lately. Would you like to see it?"
Ji Xiaoya barely glanced at him, her eyes remaining fixed on Gu An.
Noticing her gaze, Li Lingtian felt a pang of jealousy. Leaning in, he whispered, "Sister Xiaoya, you know, Senior Brother Gu is quite the charmer. He has a junior sister, the Saintess of the Dao Heaven Sect, who's quite fond of him. And let's not forget, Elder Lu, who left not long ago, also wanted him as a Dao companion."
Ji Xiaoya frowned slightly and cast him a sidelong glance. "And why, exactly, are you telling me this?"
Li Lingtian coughed awkwardly. "Just thought you should know."
Her expression turning cold, Ji Xiaoya said, "Do you know why you'll never surpass Yang Jian?"
"Why?" Li Lingtian asked, genuinely curious.
"Because your mind isn't pure. A cultivator indulging in worldly affections? How foolish. You lack the determination to stand tall. I do have some regard for him, but I've never considered becoming Dao companions. My ambition lies in seeking the Dao, and so does his. That's why, despite having so many admirers, he remains without a Dao companion."
Her tone was even, her words deliberate. After speaking, Ji Xiaoya stepped around Li Lingtian and walked toward Gu An.
Li Lingtian stood frozen, his expression awkward. Yet, instead of anger, her words sparked reflection.
She's right.
What kind of cultivator gets swayed by emotions? What have I been doing all this time?
The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Yang Jian, for instance, was entirely devoted to cultivation and mundane chores, with no distractions. No wonder he surpassed everyone else so effortlessly.
Li Lingtian massaged his chest, still sore from last night's sparring session with Yang Jian.
Meanwhile, Gu An had paid no attention to their interaction. After a brief conversation with Ji Xiaoya, he mounted the Blood Prison Saint and departed, Yang Jian following closely behind.
Today was another day for harvest!
Thus, a month passed swiftly.
On this day, Gu An arrived at Tianhuang Mountain, outside Nian Chu's cave residence.
Tian Yao'er greeted him with excitement, practically bouncing as she said, "Master, there's been movement in the Hidden Paradise Cave Heaven. Some immortal herbs are maturing!"
Hearing this, Gu An's interest piqued. He called for Tianqing and Tianbai to join them on a journey to the Hidden Paradise Cave Heaven.
Tianqing and Tianbai eagerly attached themselves to his arms, blocking Tian Yao'er from getting close. The playful rivalry made Gu An chuckle internally.