Late at night, An Xin knocked on Gu An's door. With a wave of his sleeve, the door opened on its own.
An Xin stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind her. She approached Gu An's desk, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
Gu An rarely called her alone at this hour, which naturally made her wonder.
Catching the irregular shift in cultivation energy downstairs, Gu An spoke calmly, "Yang Jian has left to temper himself through trials. From now on, I'll personally guide your cultivation. What do you think?"
An Xin was momentarily stunned before asking, "Haven't you already been guiding my cultivation, Master?"
Gu An chuckled softly. "What I've been doing before was merely helping you gather qi. What follows is truly making you stronger."
Hearing this, An Xin's lips curved into a smile. "If Master is willing to teach me, I naturally have no objections. I just hope you won't find my comprehension lacking."
"Don't worry about it," Gu An reassured her. Then he shifted the conversation to matters concerning the valley.
The cultivation energy downstairs soon returned to its natural rhythm, without a single ripple.
After some casual conversation, Gu An sent An Xin back to her quarters.
Once she left, Gu An departed the Third Medicine Valley and headed for the Xuan Valley.
Upon arrival, he stepped into the Nian Chu Cave Residence in a single stride, preparing to spend the night with the three demon women.
In a resplendent and majestic great hall, lines of figures stood neatly in formation, forming four orderly rows. Between the central two rows, a broad path stretched ahead.
A rainbow light shot into the hall and coalesced into the figure of Zhang Xianwang.
Zhang Xianwang strode forward swiftly, stopping at the foot of the grand staircase. Bowing respectfully, he looked up. At the summit of the hundred steps sat a tall figure on a golden throne. The throne's backrest was crafted from overlapping golden weapons, fanned out like a radiant halo.
The figure wore a red imperial robe adorned with dragon motifs, and a jeweled dragon crown with beaded veils hung upon his head. Blood-red dragon qi coiled around him, resembling a swarm of draconic beasts. His dignified face exuded an air of majesty, and his deep, piercing eyes seemed to hold the stars themselves.
This man was none other than the ruler of the Immortal Spirit Empire, Yang Xian Emperor.
Zhang Xianwang recounted the details of his journey, his words sparking murmurs among the immortal spirits present.
"This so-called Sword Master of the Dao dares to slight us? How arrogant!"
"He certainly has the qualifications. After all, he refused to accept the Sacred Court's Destiny Fruit."
"Perhaps he's just a recluse seeking to stay out of worldly conflicts."
"The mortal world is turbulent; avoiding entanglements isn't so simple. The Sacred Court will undoubtedly grow suspicious of him."
"With the Sacred Minister's unmatched dominance, I doubt we need to intervene. The Sacred Court will surely turn the Sword Master of the Dao against them. Especially since that Great Ming Sacred King is merely the Sacred Minister's pawn."
As Zhang Xianwang finished his report, the hall erupted into chaotic debate.
Paying no attention to the noise, Zhang Xianwang kept his gaze fixed on Yang Xian Emperor, awaiting his decision.
Yang Xian Emperor finally spoke, his voice calm and steady, "Based on your observations, do you believe he was telling the truth?"
The hall instantly fell silent.
After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Xianwang replied, "Based on what I've gathered during my time in Tai Xuan Sect, his words are consistent with his actions. Every time he's taken action, it's been in response to an external threat against Tai Xuan Sect. Never once has he acted out of personal vendetta—or if he has, no one knows of it. I even infiltrated the Elder's Hall; they genuinely don't know the Sword Master of the Dao's true identity."
Yang Xian Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought.
The surrounding immortals dared not interrupt his contemplation.
After a long pause, Yang Xian Emperor finally decreed, "If that's the case, leave him be."
"Yes!" Zhang Xianwang bowed deeply, relieved.
Though he still didn't know the Sword Master of the Dao's true cultivation realm, anyone capable of effortlessly destroying the Grand Cold Demon Sect was at least at the Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal level. If his cultivation surpassed that, he was even more untouchable.
If they couldn't collaborate, there was no need to provoke such a figure.
Zhang Xianwang added, "During my visit, I also encountered Tian Zong. He was at Tai Xuan Sect searching for someone. I suspect the reincarnation of the Sacred King Zhu Shi is hidden there."
"Tian Zong?" Yang Xian Emperor's lips curled into a mocking smile. "It seems the Sacred Court has yet another problem on their hands."
Zhang Xianwang shared the sentiment. "If conflict arises, should we intervene?"
"Intervene?" Yang Xian Emperor scoffed. "Why would we? Tian Zong and the Sacred King Zhu Shi are both incomparably proud figures. They didn't need us in the past, and they certainly don't now. Those fools underestimated Divine Sovereign's benevolence. Without Divine Sovereign, the Sacred Court would become the greatest terror this world has ever known."
Zhang Xianwang fell silent, recalling Tian Zong's formidable presence and letting out a quiet sigh.
Meanwhile, the other immortals in the hall began reminiscing about the past. Many took delight in recounting the misfortunes that had befallen Tian Zong and the Sacred King Zhu Shi.
An autumn breeze swept through the woods. The Blood Prison Saint lay sprawled on the ground, watching An Xin as she practiced her techniques, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Gu An, seated nearby, leisurely read a book, occasionally adjusting his position.
The Blood Prison Saint turned to Gu An and asked, "Master, she's been comprehending the Dao for five hours straight. Does she have some hidden potential I cannot discern?"
He had once failed to see through Yang Jian. Now, faced with An Xin's transformation, he couldn't help but question his own judgment.
Gu An flipped to a new page in the book and said casually, "There are no such things as countless unparalleled geniuses. I just wanted her to comprehend the Dao."
The Blood Prison Saint widened his large bull-like eyes, visibly shaken.
Back when Gu An had guided Zuo Yijian to comprehend the Dao, the Blood Prison Saint hadn't thought much of it, given Zuo Yijian's natural talent in swordsmanship.
But An Xin was entirely different.
She was just a young, ordinary girl, lacking both the bearing and potential of a strong cultivator.
To think that someone so mediocre could be completely transformed by his master... The Blood Prison Saint suddenly began to suspect that Yang Jian's extraordinary destiny might also have been reshaped by Gu An's intervention.
The realization set his heart ablaze. Following such a master—how could he not achieve the Dao himself?
"If Yang Jian comes back and finds himself outshined by An Xin, that'll be something to see," the Blood Prison Saint mused.
He couldn't help but feel that Gu An's decision to focus on An Xin's cultivation might have been driven by such a motive.
Poor Yang Jian!
Still, this only confirmed to the Blood Prison Saint that choosing to follow Gu An had been the correct decision. This newfound confidence filled him with joy.
Unbeknownst to him, Gu An had no idea about the intricate stories the Blood Prison Saint was crafting in his mind.
Though he appeared to be absorbed in his book, Gu An's divine sense was actually tracking Yang Jian's departure across the sea.
He noted that Tian Zong was following Yang Jian. Aside from Tian Zong, no one else seemed to be targeting Yang Jian, which meant that the Great Ming Sacred King had yet to uncover Yang Jian's true identity.
For now, at least, trouble would not be knocking on Gu An's door.
A while later, Gu An turned his attention to the outer realms, where two Unrestrained Primordial Immortals were locked in fierce combat. Such battles were rare to witness.
The two opponents were clearly mortal enemies, their brutal attacks causing the void to tremble.
Gu An could sense the presence of numerous other powerful cultivators covertly watching the fight, their divine senses crisscrossing the battlefield. It made him marvel at how vast and deep the Heavenly Spirirt Grand World truly was, full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
As dusk began to settle, Gu An finally withdrew the divine sense he had placed on An Xin, allowing her to awaken.
An Xin slowly opened her eyes, her mind now filled with the comprehension of two new techniques: Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi Technique and Universal Shape and Form Technique.
Both techniques had been enhanced by Gu An, making them more than sufficient for An Xin to study and practice for a lifetime.
Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi Technique served as the foundation for cultivation, while the Universal Shape and Form Technique allowed her to conceal her cultivation level. Both techniques could be perfectly paired with her Innate Reincarnation Technique.
When An Xin's gaze regained its clarity, her face was filled with astonishment.
"These are… so profound…"
She instinctively turned to look at Gu An, her eyes a complex mix of amazement, doubt, unease, and joy.
Cautiously, she asked, "Master, was it also you… last time?"
Still holding his book, Gu An nodded lightly. "How does it feel?"
"It feels… great, but…" An Xin hesitated. She had a burning question, but she feared it might offend Gu An.
How could her master be so powerful?
Could it be that her master was… an immortal?
Gu An's expression remained calm as he said, "From now on, I will train you privately. Do not mention this to anyone."
For reasons she couldn't explain, An Xin's heart skipped a beat when she heard those words.
They felt… oddly familiar.
In her memory, a shadowy figure began to overlap with the image of Gu An before her.
Could it be…
No, impossible…
Her master was only a little over three hundred years old. How could he be so formidable?
Gu An closed his book and turned to look at An Xin. "It's true that my identity as Gu An of Tai Xuan Sect is a façade. You're not mistaken. From beginning to end, I have always been your only master."
The moment those words left his lips, An Xin sprang to her feet. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her body began trembling uncontrollably.
"Master…"
Her emotions erupted, and she lunged into Gu An's arms, wailing like a child.
Gu An sighed helplessly. "Why are you crying? It's not like we've been apart for years. I've treated you well all this time, haven't I?"
With her head buried in his chest, An Xin sobbed, "I'm not crying because of that… I'm crying because… because I never imagined the person I've longed for most these past years would turn out to be here all along… I'm so foolish. How could there possibly be two people in this world who'd treat me so well… Master, I've missed you so much…"
The Blood Prison Saint watched the scene, utterly baffled. Weren't these two just a master and disciple?
What was this talk of a long-awaited reunion?
Patting An Xin's back, Gu An said, "Alright, let go. You're not a child anymore. What if someone sees this?"
Reluctantly, An Xin released him, kneeling on the ground to wipe her tears. Yet her face glowed with happiness.
"Master, you tricked us! If my senior brother finds out that you're also his master, he'll probably lose his mind. Wait, could it be that you knew him back then because you were protecting him?"
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she stared at Gu An. She didn't bother with formalities anymore, for to her, this master who had saved her and led her onto the path of cultivation was like a father.
In front of a father, she had no reservations.
Gu An replied, "You could say that. From now on, we'll maintain our outward appearances. Don't tell your senior brother about this either."
An Xin nodded quickly, her eyes still red but her spirit visibly lifted.
Suddenly, she glanced at the Blood Prison Saint and hesitated. "Master, but he… he heard us…"
The Blood Prison Saint bristled. What was that supposed to mean? Did she think they could hide things from him? He was the most trusted mount of his master, far closer than any disciple!
Gu An chuckled. "Don't underestimate him. Bull Demon King, you can introduce yourself."
At those words, the Blood Prison Saint stood up proudly, his chest puffed out as he began recounting his true identity.
An ascender!
At the Great Perfection Stage!
These two facts alone left An Xin utterly stunned, her jaw hanging open. She barely registered the litany of titles he rattled off afterward.
Turning back to Gu An, she asked, "Master, does this mean Yang Jian is truly my junior brother? What is his cultivation level now?"