Upon arriving at the Hidden Paradise Cave Heaven, Gu An immediately noticed a seventh-tier spiritual herb reaching maturity. However, after a closer look, he decided not to harvest it just yet. The herb was still rooting deeply and producing seeds that were gradually spreading throughout the surrounding soil.
Gu An observed quietly, choosing to wait and let the herb propagate further. Sustainable growth would yield a much larger harvest in the future.
Having already reached the ninth level of the Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal realm, Gu An no longer needed to rush to collect lifespans of mere thousands or tens of thousands of years.
His goal was clear: a lifespan of one hundred million years.
It wasn't about rushing but maximizing efficiency. Once the high-tier herbs within the Hidden Paradise Cave Heaven matured, he might harvest tens of millions of years in one go. Just imagining such an outcome was enough to make him feel exhilarated.
"I'm planning to expand this heavenly realm. In the future, you can all move in. If you ever feel bored, you could raise some spirit beasts, but you must follow the rules—no damage to my medicinal herbs," Gu An said with a soft chuckle, gazing at the boundless medicinal garden.
Hearing his words, Tian Yao'er and the twins, Tianqing and Tianbai, grew excited. They started chattering enthusiastically about the possibilities.
More than raising spirit beasts, though, what they truly longed for was the chance to explore the outside world.
Gu An smiled and promised them, "Once you reach the Mahayana Realm, I'll let you go out and have some fun. It's for your own good."
Upon hearing the mention of the Mahayana Realm, the three women's excitement visibly dimmed.
"How long will it take to reach that realm?" they lamented internally.
"The world outside is treacherous," Gu An warned with a shake of his head. "If you're captured, being bullied might be the least of your concerns. You could be skinned alive, your blood and flesh used to refine pills, and your bones turned into ornaments…"
In just a few sentences, he had sufficiently frightened the three of them into silence.
Each of them had experienced hardship before meeting Gu An. Tian Yao'er had been imprisoned by the Phoenix Demon Mother, while Tianqing and Tianbai, having lost their parents, had wandered the lands, enduring endless injuries.
Tianqing sighed. "We might as well focus on cultivation. Raising spirit beasts will only be a distraction."
Tianbai, clinging to Gu An's arm, nodded as she swayed her body. Tian Yao'er quickly intervened, pushing her aside to reclaim Gu An's other arm.
"Right now, the world outside is caught in disaster," Gu An began, his face composed though a playful glint flashed in his eyes. He proceeded to narrate the ongoing catastrophe over the seas, fully capturing the three women's attention.
The Great Rift of the Broken Sea, the emergence of the Supernatural Realm, and the vengeful ghostly entities—all these left them wide-eyed and trembling.
"Undying, unextinguishable ghostly creatures? How would one even deal with such horrors?" they murmured among themselves.
"Master," Tian Yao'er asked nervously, "will this disaster affect you? Should you hide in the heavenly realm?"
"If the oceanic forces fail to resolve this, it's only a matter of time before it spreads to our continent," Tianqing added, her worry evident.
"Why does such a terrifying ghostly being even exist?" Tianbai asked with wide eyes.
The trio's chatter continued as they fretted over the matter.
After spending roughly an hour in the Hidden Paradise Cave Heaven, Gu An finally returned to the Tai Xuan Sect.
He made his way to the Third Medicine Valley, habitually heading toward the chess table to observe the Nine-Finger Divine Lord's game. However, on the way, he was intercepted by You Yingying.
"You smell nice," she said, narrowing her eyes. "And it's not just one scent. Don't tell me you've been visiting brothels?"
Gu An's expression twitched, and he retorted, "Stop spouting nonsense. Can't you speak more gracefully?"
"Fine," she replied with a smirk. "Did you go to the Yi Xiang Pavilion?"
"They're cleaner than you," Gu An shot back without missing a beat.
Unbothered, You Yingying laughed and remarked, "Men, not a single decent one among them."
Not wanting to engage further, Gu An brushed past her.
"Wait," You Yingying called out, catching up to him. "The Star Sea Sect is offering the Tai Xuan Sect a thousand spots for disciples to train with them over five years. If you want in, I can help you secure a spot."
Without turning, Gu An replied, "With my relationship with the Sect Leader, do you think I'd need your help?"
You Yingying grinned. "The Tai Xuan Sect will obviously choose the most talented thousand disciples. Even if you manage to get in, with your current cultivation level, you'll likely just feel overwhelmed. But if I put in a word for you, things will go more smoothly, and you might gain more. Who knows, you might even close up for a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm after returning."
This made Gu An pause, turning to scrutinize her.
Despite being at the Foundation Establishment Realm herself, You Yingying spoke with confidence and authority, which hinted at her high status within the Star Sea Sect.
Curiosity sparked within him. Gu An decided to probe the mysterious karmic force surrounding her, something he had long noticed but avoided investigating to steer clear of trouble.
Now, with his cultivation at its peak, it seemed worth looking into.
This karmic force had also been the reason Gu An couldn't divine her fate directly.
Suddenly, Gu An perceived a grotesque face emerging from within You Yingying, lunging at him before dissipating into nothingness.
It was nothing more than an illusion, harmless yet unsettling.
"Why so quiet? Don't tell me you're thinking about how to thank me?" You Yingying said smugly. "Simple! Just write another Journey to the West. How about the story of Sun Wukong as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven after becoming the Buddha? Stop wasting time wandering aimlessly."
Gu An chuckled. "That won't happen. Some stories are better left unfinished. The lingering mystery makes them unforgettable."
She rolled her eyes and asked, "So, are you going or not?"
Gu An smirked and replied, "No, thanks for your kind offer, but I'd rather spend my days peacefully in the Medicine Valley. Besides, if I go, what if your Star Sea Sect's Saintess takes a liking to me?"
"Pah! Shameless. Our Star Sea Sect doesn't even have a Saintess!" You Yingying snapped, her eyes glaring.
"It's exhausting being chased by female geniuses. Just like now." Gu An added with a smirk.
"You—" she sputtered, and then her fists flew toward him in frustration. Gu An quickly sidestepped, escaping before she could land a hit.
This rascal, so utterly insufferable!
Despite her irritation, You Yingying muttered under her breath, realizing Gu An had avoided her not because he couldn't fight back, but to spare her from harm.
Days passed in tranquility. After his brief venture to the world beyond, Gu An refrained from making any further trips. He had gleaned enough about the Tianling Great World to know there was no pressing reason to return.
The winter snow arrived, blanketing the Third Medicine Valley in a soft, white coat. Gu An descended from his loft and stood at the entrance, reaching out with his right hand to catch the falling snow.
The faint chill against his palm filled him with a quiet joy.
His gaze shifted toward the valley's entrance. Amid the swirling snowfall, a faint silhouette gradually approached.
A wandering cultivator—a Wandering Immortal—and one at the ninth level, no less.
This individual's arrival was the reason Gu An had stepped outside.
What could prompt such a powerful wandering cultivator to come uninvited?
Gu An stood silently, watching the figure enter the valley.
The visitor was a strikingly handsome monk draped in a kasaya, holding prayer beads in one hand. His eyes remained closed as he walked forward, the snow collecting on his shoulders forming a makeshift white cape.
[Shen Xin Zi (Wandering Immortal Realm, Ninth Level): 45,865 / 190,000 / 999,999]
What?
A lifespan limit of 999,999 years?
This was the first time Gu An had encountered such an extraordinary upper limit. It was, by far, the highest he'd seen for anyone above the Nirvana Realm.
Nine was the number of extremes. Gu An wondered if individuals like An Hao or Yang Jian, after reaching Nirvana, could possibly achieve such an extreme lifespan.
As Gu An pondered, he watched Shen Xin Zi make his way toward the chess area of the Medicine Valley, clearly heading for the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.
Several disciples in the valley also noticed Shen Xin Zi's arrival. They cast curious glances in his direction but refrained from approaching. Shen Xin Zi, on his part, paid them no mind and didn't even open his eyes.
When he reached the crowd, the familiar sound of the Nine-Finger Divine Lord's complaints rang out.
"Can you play faster? You're so slow it's unbearable! Where's your decisiveness in this game?"
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord crossed his arms with a huff, his face full of impatience.
Sitting across from him, Elder Lu grumbled, "When you played against my master, you were even slower than I am now."
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord glared. "That's because I wanted to outlast your master. And you think you can outlast me? Even if you're lying in a coffin, I'll still be here, waiting for you to make a move. Does that make sense?"
Elder Lu's face turned green with anger. Around them, the disciples muttered discontentedly, scolding the Nine-Finger Divine Lord for being too harsh. Of course, their familiarity with him gave them the confidence to speak up, knowing he wouldn't genuinely take offense.
At some point, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord had shed his formal demeanor within the Third Medicine Valley, revealing his true personality. He no longer felt the need to maintain an air of pretension, and he seemed to relish the casual environment.
While bantering with the onlookers, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord glanced toward Shen Xin Zi, who stood among the crowd.
His gaze lingered only for a moment before shifting away.
Shen Xin Zi finally opened his eyes and began observing the chessboard.
Half an hour later, Elder Lu admitted defeat, and another challenger took his place. Shen Xin Zi continued to spectate silently, drawing curiosity from the disciples. However, no one questioned his presence. These days, it was not uncommon for high-level cultivators to visit the Medicine Valley to challenge the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, so his presence didn't seem unusual.
Gu An, having lost interest in Shen Xin Zi, mounted the Blood Prison Saint and began his routine inspection of the Medicine Valley.
Around noon, after yet another victory, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord turned to Shen Xin Zi and called out, "Hey, little monk, care for a match?"
Shen Xin Zi clasped his hands together and replied, "Amitabha. I humbly ask for your guidance, senior."
The disciples, intrigued by Shen Xin Zi's serene demeanor, made way for him. He took his seat and made the first move.
Having observed three rounds, Shen Xin Zi had already grasped the rules. The Nine-Finger Divine Lord smirked, adopting a strategy similar to Gu An's: quick, precise moves that left no room for hesitation.
One incense stick later, Shen Xin Zi lost.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord leaned back with a triumphant smile. "So, what do you think of the game?"
Shen Xin Zi, deep in thought, responded, "It holds profound wisdom. A small chessboard encapsulates the principles of the universe. The interplay of black and white mirrors the competitive nature of all things. Its changes are endless; it allows for desperate reversals and hidden traps. Truly fascinating."
Standing, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord said, "Let's chat elsewhere. Let's not disturb the others."
Shen Xin Zi nodded and followed him.
The disciples collectively exhaled in relief. With the Nine-Finger Divine Lord gone, they could finally enjoy their chess games in peace. His formidable skills were one thing, but his constant commentary made every match an ordeal.
The two walked along a snowy path within the valley. Gazing at the snowy expanse, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord asked, "Little monk, what brings you here? Are you passing through, or is this the will of the Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect?"
Shen Xin Zi clasped his hands and replied, "I've been sent to investigate the Great Rift of the Broken Sea. Passing through here, I sensed your presence and came to pay my respects. I didn't expect to find disciples of my sect here as well. This Tai Xuan Sect's fortune is extraordinary. Might you have a hand in fostering it?"
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord laughed. "Me? Foster it? Clearly, you've never heard of the Sword Master of Dao."
Before Shen Xin Zi could inquire further, his gaze locked onto a passing figure—You Yingying. His brows furrowed deeply.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord noticed his reaction and quipped, "You see her too? So, what's your plan?"
His tone carried a mischievous edge, as if he were encouraging Shen Xin Zi to act.
Shen Xin Zi inhaled deeply and said, "If she is a monster, she must be eliminated."