"Really?"
Hearing Gu An's words, An Xin's excitement surged instantly. Even the eyes of the Blood Prison Saint, resembling two massive fiery orbs, gleamed with fervor.
As expected, the master wouldn't hesitate to share an immortal-grade treasure!
After returning to the mountain summit, Gu An instructed An Xin to focus on her cultivation. Meanwhile, he returned alone to his chambers.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Gu An's gaze fell on Qingtian Peak. His first task was to use his divine sense to erase any marks or restrictions within the treasure that could potentially threaten him.
The Azure Sky Spirit displayed no resistance and, on the contrary, seemed almost eager to comply.
After ensuring there were no lingering risks, Gu An began the process of establishing ownership over Qingtian Peak.
With the Azure Sky Spirit's cooperation, it took Gu An less than half an hour to refine the restrictive arrays within the treasure and bind the spirit to his control. From this moment on, it would be completely subservient to him.
With the spirit fully integrated, Qingtian Peak's power was comparable to the combat strength of a Unrestrained Primordial Immortal! The latent energy contained within Qingtian Peak far exceeded treasures like the Seven Stars Mirror, the Immortal King's Crown, or even the Mysterious Divine City. The latter two had suffered significant damage and required extensive time to restore their full power.
Although the Seven Stars Mirror remained relatively intact, it was still marginally inferior to Qingtian Peak—not by an immense margin, but the difference was noticeable.
Having completed the process, a satisfied smile appeared on Gu An's face.
Now the trap is set, he thought. Time to lure the prey.
But then he paused. Better to let him stew for a while. He can't escape, nor can he send any messages out.
Gu An deliberately acted as if he was unaware of the demonic presence hidden within Qingtian Peak. The Azure Sky Spirit, for its part, was genuinely ignorant of the intruder.
During the process of binding the treasure, Gu An had glimpsed fragments of the Azure Sky Spirit's memories. For most of its existence, the spirit had been in a state of dormancy or under heavy seals of external power. It had no knowledge of the malignant entity concealed within it.
Despite its ignorance, the Azure Sky Spirit had been subtly influenced by the demonic presence. This influence was likely why it felt an inexplicable attraction to Dingtian Peak, to the point of hurtling toward it uncontrollably.
If Gu An hadn't intervened, the spirit would have tried to shatter Dingtian Peak to reveal whatever had been drawing it there.
"This demonic seed beneath the mountain must be extraordinary," Gu An mused to himself. Should I consider relocating it? But where could I safely place it?
Moving it carried the risk of prematurely awakening the entity, which might accelerate a calamity.
Forget it, he decided. Let it stay for now. If more demons come, so be it.
Demons weaker than him would simply be annihilated.
As for demons stronger than him—if they managed to infiltrate the Heavenly Spirit World, then it would mean the Sacred Court was already compromised.
Gu An reduced Qingtian Peak to the size of a pendant and hung it from his belt.
His Extreme Path Void Body, an enhancement of the Demon Shadow Divine Art, had reached a level where it not only shielded him from all causal tracing but also extended this protection to the treasures he carried. With Qingtian Peak affixed to his side, it too was enveloped by this barrier, making it impossible for anyone to deduce its location or ownership.
Furthermore, the Extreme Path Void Body provided significant combat advantages, allowing his physical form and soul to shift into a semi-illusory state. This gave him unparalleled adaptability in battle, enabling him to evade spells and divine abilities with ease.
Gu An stretched leisurely, his movements smooth and unhurried.
Demons, the Sacred Court...
Peace in this world seemed perpetually out of reach.
Gu An sighed inwardly but felt no real pressure.
There was still ample time ahead. Rushing to resolve everything at once was unnecessary. In the end, the one who could endure and persevere would have the last laugh.
Seasons passed, and a new year began.
Shortly after the Spring Festival, Gu An stood in the forest, personally instructing An Xin on the intricate art of the Time-Striding Dao Step.
The technique was profound and elusive, challenging even under direct guidance. Gu An's current goal was to help An Xin grasp its fundamental rhythm and structure.
With a flash of movement, An Xin's figure appeared five steps away from where she had started. Yet, her balance faltered, and she tumbled to the ground.
Sitting on the ground, she felt an overwhelming dizziness. Her head spun, and her vision blurred as she swayed unsteadily, her slightly parted lips revealing her dazed state.
Gu An watched with amusement, suppressing the urge to laugh. He didn't intervene to help her recover—this was a critical phase she had to endure herself.
Nearly half an hour passed before An Xin fully regained her composure.
She turned to Gu An with a wry smile. "Master, this technique is incredibly complex. Do I really have to master it?"
Gu An casually waved the Seven Stars Mirror, using it as a makeshift fan, and replied with a grin, "Of course. You can't rely on qi absorption alone. Cultivating divine techniques will enhance your comprehension and broaden your understanding."
Though her face fell, An Xin didn't give up. She rose to her feet, ready to continue practicing the Time-Striding Dao Step.
The mere thought of the disorienting dizziness made her stomach churn, but she steeled herself. Clapping her hands lightly against her cheeks, she forced the discomfort from her mind.
At that moment, a sudden golden radiance spread across the sky beyond the forest, cascading outward like the hues of a grand sunset.
Gu An also raised his head to look, his expression calm.
"So, it's finally starting," he murmured.
Meanwhile, on a remote island across the sea, Yang Jian stood shoulder to shoulder with Tian Zong, their gazes locked on the distant horizon.
Yang Jian gazed at his right hand. Moments ago, he had crushed the golden jade stone given to him by Tian Zong. A golden radiance now enveloped his palm, scattering specks of light that drifted into the void.
His expression was calm, but his heart was tense with unease.
If I merge with the memories of my past life, will I still be myself?
Tian Zong, standing beside him, noticed his apprehension and offered reassurance. "Do not worry. This process is painless. I've already established a formation to ensure no one will disturb you."
Yang Jian raised his head to the sky. The golden glow stretched across the heavens, grand and magnificent.
"But this phenomenon…" Yang Jian hesitated.
Tian Zong stroked his beard, his tone composed. "It's of no consequence. The range of this phenomenon is vast—you needn't concern yourself with it."
Taking a deep breath, Yang Jian lowered his gaze back to his palm.
At that moment, the golden specks began to rise from his hand and drift toward his face, finally merging into his eyes.
Whoosh!
A fierce wind surged across the island as the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth converged around Yang Jian. The golden light in his palm intensified, illuminating his face. His brows furrowed as visions flickered rapidly through his pupils.
Seeing this, Tian Zong smiled and silently retreated, creating some distance between himself and Yang Jian.
Meanwhile, in the Tai Xuan Sect, Gu An observed the phenomena from afar. The rules of the world seemed to envelop Yang Jian, with the laws of yin and yang standing out most prominently.
Although Gu An couldn't decipher the entire process, he sensed that Yang Jian was unlikely to encounter any mishaps. Moreover, the golden jade stone contained no foreign soul, eliminating the possibility of possession.
"Master, why has the sky changed color?" An Xin asked curiously, her gaze fixed on the shifting hues above.
"Your junior brother is awakening the memories of his past life," Gu An replied casually, his tone calm despite the celestial spectacle.
Past life memories?
Hearing this, An Xin's interest was piqued. Gu An, seeing no reason to withhold the information, explained Yang Jian's karmic origins.
Upon learning that Yang Jian was the reincarnation of a Sacred King of the Sacred Court, An Xin was left astounded.
"No wonder he's so powerful. Master, could it be that my senior brother is also a reincarnated great figure?" she asked, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
"Probably not," Gu An replied, dashing her hopes.
If An Hao were truly the reincarnation of a powerful figure, it would imply that An Xin herself wasn't lacking—it would merely mean she was comparing herself to the wrong benchmark.
"But everyone has the potential for past lives," Gu An added. "When you reach a certain level of cultivation, you'll naturally come to understand."
With that, he shifted his gaze away from the heavens.
"That's enough for today," he said.
Relief washed over An Xin's face as she hurried to follow him.
"Master, now that Yang Jian has awakened his past life memories, does this mean he will once again become the Sacred King? Is the Sacred King really that formidable?"
"What he becomes depends on his own choices. As for the Sacred King's power, let me tell you this: the Grand Cold Demon Sect once served under a Sacred King."
"What? A Sacred King could command a sect as powerful as the Grand Cold Demon Sect?"
"Don't act so surprised."
"Now that I think about it, having someone as mighty as the Sacred King as my junior brother feels like a dream!"
"I'm sharing this with you not for you to marvel at, but so you understand your own goals."
"Hehe, Master, I'll train hard. With you teaching me, a Sacred King is no big deal!"
As they talked, master and disciple made their way back to the valley. Gu An subtly altered the karmic threads around their conversation, ensuring that their words wouldn't be overheard or traced.
Ever since reaching the realm of Divine Thought True Immortal, Gu An had focused heavily on studying the Dao of Karma and Fate. His control over his own karmic power had become increasingly precise.
Across the Broken Sea Domain, countless beings gazed up at the celestial phenomenon in awe.
Gu An even noticed powerful figures emerging from the Sacred Domain, where the Sacred Court was located, hastily making their way toward the Broken Sea Domain.
Fortunately, Yang Jian wasn't undergoing his awakening in the Tai Cang Continent; otherwise, it would undoubtedly have brought disaster to the land once more.
The golden radiance persisted for a full day and night, until the next day at noon.
Shen Zhen arrived at Gu An's chambers, carefully shutting the door behind her before setting up an array. After meticulously arranging her preparations, she finally approached the desk.
"Still reading The Adventures of Green Hero? Why not read my Tai Xuan Secrets instead?" Shen Zhen teased.
Gu An glanced up from his book. "Tai Xuan Secrets is too short," he replied, implying a subtle nudge for her to write more.
Feigning ignorance of his hint, Shen Zhen retrieved a scroll from her storage pouch and spread it across the table.
She had captured the celestial phenomenon from the previous day in her painting. Golden skies blanketed the vast landscapes, exuding a majestic and awe-inspiring aura.
As the scroll unfurled, Gu An noticed that the rules of the world seemed to gravitate toward the artwork.
Once again, Shen Zhen had managed to draw the attention of the heavenly rules through her art.
"Yesterday's phenomenon wasn't simple," Shen Zhen began, recounting the thoughts that had guided her creative process.
Gu An, however, sensed a peculiar power emerging from the depths of the heavenly rules—a force reminiscent of the inheritance left behind by Tian Zong.
Could Yang Jian's past life also be connected to the Heavenly Dao represented by Tian Zong?
Beyond this force, Gu An found himself particularly intrigued by the presence of reincarnation laws.
The scroll seemed to attract the essence of reincarnation itself.
The rules of the world, omnipresent yet elusive, often remained veiled from mortal comprehension. But to someone like Gu An, whose Divine Thought could penetrate these layers, the cosmos revealed a deeper order beyond the visible realm.
After Shen Zhen finished her explanation, she looked at Gu An expectantly. "Well? You seem to have sensed the meaning behind my art. Care to share your thoughts?"
Gu An studied the painting intently. "It does have a captivating allure. You've done an excellent job."
"Of course!" Shen Zhen exclaimed, raising her chin with pride.
Just as Gu An was about to say more, the scroll suddenly burst into flames. Startled, Shen Zhen instinctively tried to extinguish it.
"Don't touch it! That fire isn't ordinary!" Gu An warned sharply, stopping her in her tracks.
Startled by his tone, Shen Zhen froze, uncertain of what to do next.