Shen Xin Zi stood under a tree, lost in thought.
Unlike You Yingying, who had accepted her fate, his heart was still in turmoil.
He was shaken by the strength of the Sword Master of Dao and filled with doubts about his own judgment.
From his investigations over the past few days, Shen Xin Zi was convinced that the Sword Master of Dao was a great figure who cared deeply for the world. He had reformed an entire sect's demeanor and saved countless lives.
With such a profound cultivation base, the Sword Master of Dao could certainly see through the karmic threads surrounding You Yingying.
Was his refusal to allow bloodshed in the Tai Xuan Sect simply about maintaining peace within its grounds, or did he truly believe that You Yingying should not be killed?
Shen Xin Zi's thoughts were a tangled mess. He remained in this state until the Nine-Finger Divine Lord arrived in the Medicine Valley to play chess. Only then did the Divine Lord's call pull him out of his reverie.
"What's with that look? Did you run into the Sword Master of Dao?" The Nine-Finger Divine Lord grinned as he stood before Shen Xin Zi.
Shen Xin Zi closed his eyes and softly intoned, "Amitabha."
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord's smile faded. His brow furrowed, his expression growing serious. "You really dared to act? Are you tired of living? Haven't you heard how the Spectral Wraith King Tian Wuchang was crushed by the Sword Master of Dao? That Tian Wuchang was said to have reached the peak of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm!"
Shen Xin Zi remained silent, his eyes shut, showing no outward reaction.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord noticed that Shen Xin Zi's left hand, hidden in his sleeve, was trembling.
This kid's been scared out of his wits, hasn't he? the Divine Lord thought, finding the situation amusing.
It was rare to see Shen Xin Zi reduced to such a state.
"Come on, let's go play chess. The interplay of black and white holds truths that might help you understand."
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord grabbed Shen Xin Zi and dragged him along, talking incessantly as they walked.
"I have to say, that kid Gu An is a bit mystical. How could he create such a profound game? Either he's got some high-ranking teacher, or he's been visited by an immortal in his dreams."
Shen Xin Zi, still dazed, hardly paid attention.
However, in the days that followed, as he played more chess, his inner anxiety and confusion gradually dissipated. He began to grasp the deeper meanings in the Nine-Finger Divine Lord's words.
This game of chess truly wasn't simple.
Winter eventually passed, and the Tai Xuan Sect once again celebrated the Spring Festival.
It was worth mentioning that thanks to Li Xuandao's efforts, the festival had spread across the land. Now, it was celebrated by people everywhere.
In the Third Medicine Valley.
Li Lingtian stood with his hands on his hips beside Yang Jian. He squinted at Shen Xin Zi, who was seated under a tree in the distance, and muttered, "Why hasn't that monk left yet? Is he planning to settle here?"
Yang Jian, busy crafting a lantern, replied nonchalantly, "Why do you care? If he wants to stay, let him. My master hasn't kicked you out yet, has he?"
Li Lingtian's eyes widened. "That's different! I'm your master's junior brother. Your master has a great relationship with my royal brother."
Yang Jian suddenly looked at him and asked, "Speaking of which, has your royal brother been in touch with you? He's cultivating in the Star Sea Sect, right? Shouldn't he know An Hao?"
"No contact so far, but he does have a good relationship with An Hao. Those two are already considered legends in the Tai Xuan Sect. Funny thing is, I've never even seen either of them in person. My royal brother probably doesn't even know I exist," Li Lingtian admitted, his tone tinged with envy.
"You could follow in your brother's footsteps. I hear the Tai Cang Dynasty has established friendly ties with the Star Sea Sect. Your father must have a way."
"Nah, I think staying here and training with you is better. Honestly, I believe you're the strongest genius in the world. My royal brother and An Hao don't even come close."
Li Lingtian looked at Yang Jian with earnest admiration. It was the truth.
Yang Jian was the only one he truly respected in his lifetime.
Not only was Yang Jian's talent unparalleled, but he also had the focus and dedication to cultivate quietly, without chasing after empty fame.
"How could I possibly be the strongest? I have my own goals to pursue," Yang Jian said with a chuckle, shaking his head.
"Goals? What goals?" Li Lingtian was immediately intrigued and began pestering him, but Yang Jian refused to say.
Meanwhile.
Gu An approached Shen Xin Zi, who was sitting cross-legged, engrossed in a copy of Journey to the West.
"Friend, the festival is approaching. Would you like to join us?" Gu An asked with a smile.
Shen Xin Zi snapped out of his trance and quickly stood up, bowing deeply. "Amitabha. Thank you for your invitation, benefactor. I would be honored to attend. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help."
Gu An waved him off with a grin. "You're a guest; there's no need for you to do anything. Of course, if you're in a good mood and want to offer guidance to the disciples in the valley, I'd be even more grateful."
Shen Xin Zi couldn't help but ask, "Benefactor, do you not wish to learn anything yourself?"
"Me? Nah, I was referring to the disciples."
"Surely, benefactor, you must yearn for the teachings of the Buddhism and seek the immortal path?"
"Me? No way. Life's great as it is. I don't want to go out fighting and killing. I have a senior brother, Li Ya, who wields a treasure of the immortal path and is incredibly powerful. But only I know the truth—he's always getting injured. The hardships behind the glory, who could understand? I'm timid by nature and can't bear to kill. It's better to just hide in the Medicine Valley."
Gu An's carefree laughter left Shen Xin Zi with a newfound respect for him.
The two chatted for a while before Gu An left.
As he watched Gu An's retreating figure, Shen Xin Zi felt deeply moved.
This Medicine Valley, though small, was infinitely profound.
It housed great cultivators who could touch the heavens, prodigious youths with boundless potential, ill-fated calamities, and a master who had seen through the illusions of life.
Perhaps cultivating the Buddha's path here could bring him greater enlightenment.
However, it was a pity—he still had to head to the Great Rift of the Broken Sea.
If he could make it back alive, he would be able to cultivate here for several centuries.
Shen Xinzi silently thought to himself. As for dealing with You Yingying, he was no longer concerned. With someone as powerful as the Sword Master of Dao watching over her, she likely wouldn't cause any trouble.
…
In the grand hall, An Hao stood and bowed to his master, Fu Chen True Person.
Fu Chen True Person looked at An Hao and sighed. "Hao'er, I didn't expect your master to be so formidable. I must admit, I've benefited from your connection."
He had already learned about Tian Wuchang's attack on the Star Sea Sect, and he was astonished by the revelation. Who would have thought that An Hao had such a powerful backer?
"Master, you've guided me in cultivation and cared for me. I will always remember your kindness," An Hao replied earnestly.
Since the Sword Master of Dao had intervened, An Hao's position within the Star Sea Sect had completely transformed. Renowned cultivators frequently visited him, showering him with concern. Some prestigious families even proposed introducing their female disciples to him as potential Dao companions, though he politely declined.
An Hao already had someone in his heart. However, to him, personal feelings paled compared to the pursuit of the immortal path. Thus, he had severed that connection long ago.
His master had saved him from a demon's maw, not so he could indulge in romantic entanglements. He was determined to reach the pinnacle of immortality and not let his master down!
Fu Chen True Person smiled with satisfaction before bringing up the Great Rift of the Broken Sea.
The number of Spectral Wraiths within the rift was increasing, and nine Spectral Wraith Kings had gathered. The major sects were preparing to launch a joint attack on the Supernatural Realm. His return was to make arrangements for this.
As Fu Chen True Person described the bizarre and otherworldly sights within the Supernatural Realm, An Hao couldn't help but feel intrigued and yearned to explore it himself.
But in the end, he suppressed his thoughts. Time was of the essence. He had to dedicate all his energy to cultivation and become a pillar of strength as soon as possible.
"If this decisive battle succeeds, the world-ending ocean tide will not erupt. That would be a tremendous achievement!" Fu Chen True Person said with bright eyes.
An Hao was puzzled. What use were achievements?
Fu Chen True Person began to explain the Sacred Court, opening An Hao's eyes to a greater world. He hadn't expected such a governing force to exist in the mortal realm.
The Land of Ten Thousand Immortals—it even sounded grand.
When Fu Chen True Person mentioned the Sacred Court's leader, Divine Sovereign, An Hao was lost in endless imagination.
The Sacred Court's ruler, the master of all mortals—how powerful must they be?
Wasn't this akin to the Jade Emperor in Journey to the West or the Supreme Heavenly Emperor in Investiture of the Gods?
Even his own name, An Hao, bore the character for "Hao." Could he not one day become the master of the myriad worlds and the leader of all immortals?
A flame ignited within An Hao's heart—a fire of unprecedented ambition.
To embark on the path of immortality, how could one not aim for the ultimate throne?
…
Time flew by, and twelve years passed in the blink of an eye.
It was summer.
In a bustling city, Gu An, dressed in a green robe, strolled along the streets. Beside him walked a woman in white, wearing a bamboo hat with a veil that obscured her face.
This woman was Ji Xiaoya.
"Why have we come to this city?" Ji Xiaoya asked curiously.
Earlier this year, she had told Gu An she wanted to travel and experience the mortal world to gain insights into the Dao. She had hoped Gu An would accompany her. At first, he refused, but her persistence eventually wore him down, and he agreed.
"One of my junior brothers lives here," Gu An replied, recounting how he met Xiao Chuan.
Ji Xiaoya listened attentively, her heart stirred by the tale.
Indeed.
Not everyone was born with extraordinary talent like hers. Most people, like the disciples of the Third Medicine Valley, had average spiritual roots.
Xiao Chuan's decision to abandon the immortal path left her deeply moved.
Of course, she admired Xiao Chuan's determination, but she had no intention of giving up her own cultivation.
The two walked and chatted as they went.
They entered an inn and chose a window seat on the second floor.
Ji Xiaoya asked, "If Xiao Chuan passes away first, will you grieve?"
Gu An, now a Core Formation cultivator, would undoubtedly live far longer than Xiao Chuan.
Gu An smiled. "If he leaves without regrets, I won't grieve. Even after he's gone, he'll always hold a place in my heart."
Ji Xiaoya nodded in agreement.
Gu An teased, "And if I pass away first, will you grieve?"
Ji Xiaoya didn't offer words of comfort but instead seriously pondered the question. She replied, "I would feel sorrow, but it wouldn't consume me. My life will also come to an end someday. You and I will both enter the cycle of reincarnation—it's just a matter of who goes first."
"You've come to terms with it. Not bad. You haven't wasted the years of my guidance," Gu An remarked.
"What have you taught me?"
"My words, my actions—they've undoubtedly influenced you."
"True," Ji Xiaoya agreed with a nod, making Gu An's smile even broader.
This girl was far easier to tease than she had been in her past life, and far more entertaining.
Just as Gu An was about to speak, a whooshing sound broke the calm.
"Move aside! Out of the way!"
A loud, arrogant voice echoed above the city. Gu An and Ji Xiaoya turned to look, only to see a dragon-like creature soaring low through the air, its massive frame stirring up debris in its path.
Atop the dragon's head stood a young man.