Three days passed quickly.
Early in the morning, Gu An brought An Xin to Mortal Peak. He deliberately left the Blood Prison Saint behind, much to the latter's frustration.
The reason for not bringing the Blood Prison Saint was simple: there were acquaintances of Gu An's in the Thunder Sea Demon Domain, and his presence might be inconvenient.
As for An Xin, she wore a specially crafted mask by Gu An, making her difficult to recognize.
Thanks to her cultivation in the Universal Shape and Form Technique, An Xin could suppress her aura completely. High-level cultivators judged identity through more than appearance, but even they wouldn't be able to discern her origins easily.
After arriving at Dingtian Peak, Gu An read quietly in the study while An Xin, also holding a book, occasionally glanced out the window, waiting for Yongnian Dao Lord and his party to arrive.
It wasn't until near noon that Yongnian Dao Lord finally appeared. Alongside Fu Shenxiu, he brought a female cultivator.
This woman's cultivation was at the second level of the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal Realm, inferior to Fu Shenxiu. However, judging by her age, she seemed more senior—likely assigned by Yongnian Dao Lord to guide them.
And sure enough!
"This is my junior sister," Yongnian Dao Lord began introducing, "Her Dao name is Yongxin, known as Yongxin Fairy. She will lead the way to the Thunder Sea Demon Domain. As for me, I must remain on Mortal Peak to prevent any unexpected mishaps."
Yongxin Fairy raised her hand in a formal greeting toward Gu An, who returned the courtesy.
"Then let's depart," Gu An said directly.
If they could settle the matter today, all the better. After all, a batch of medicinal herbs in the Hidden Heaven Cave was maturing, awaiting his harvest.
Yongxin Fairy had no objections. The group gathered in the courtyard, where she raised her hand to summon a small red pavilion. The structure rapidly expanded, enveloping Gu An, Fu Shenxiu, and An Xin before transforming into a streak of red light that vanished into the horizon.
Standing in the courtyard, Yongnian Dao Lord watched the direction of the departing red pavilion with a hint of concern in his eyes.
Inside the red pavilion's grand hall, Yongxin Fairy gestured for Gu An to sit and converse while An Xin curiously looked around.
"You're free to explore. There's nothing dangerous here," Yongxin Fairy said to An Xin with a gentle smile.
Her appearance, though not breathtaking, radiated a warmth and elegance that naturally invited trust.
An Xin instinctively turned to Gu An, who nodded. Gaining confidence, she ventured out of the hall.
Meanwhile, Fu Shenxiu sat across from Gu An, his expression calm.
"The Thunder Sea Demon Domain has already drawn the presence of Unrestrained Primordial Immortals. Rumor has it that in the past 100,000 years, a peerless great demon has risen within the domain. After cultivating for a hundred millennia, it has reached the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal Realm and commands legions of demon soldiers. Its influence is not to be underestimated," Yongxin Fairy began, breaking the silence.
Gu An had already used his divine sense to survey the Thunder Sea Demon Domain. It was indeed perilous, with many immortal-level beings whose strength was difficult to gauge. However, none posed a significant threat to him.
As Yongxin Fairy detailed the current factions within the domain, she discreetly observed Gu An's reaction.
Seeing his calm composure throughout, her worries eased somewhat.
It seemed this man was truly a Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal!
In the history of Mortal Peak, there had been individuals who attained the level of Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal. Yet, upon reaching such heights, most departed for the heavens beyond or sought their fortune within the Sacred Court. Few chose to remain on Mortal Peak.
Gu An's arrival and stay on Mortal Peak had been a topic of much speculation among the elders. Ultimately, they decided that winning his favor was the best course of action.
If this mission went smoothly, it would solidify Gu An's alignment with Mortal Peak.
Yongxin Fairy recited the names of several Unrestrained Primordial Immortals. Within the vast expanse of Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven, achieving the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal Realm typically came with fame, and many of these figures were well-acquainted with one another.
A figure like Gu An, emerging seemingly out of nowhere, was exceedingly rare. Yongxin Fairy had encountered only one other such case in her lifetime.
She suspected that "Meng Lang" was a false identity but chose not to expose her doubts.
Gu An glanced at Fu Shenxiu, who had remained silent throughout Yongxin Fairy's explanation, and said calmly, "Don't worry. As long as the Earth Origin Soul is still in the Thunder Sea Demon Domain, it will undoubtedly be yours."
Hearing this, Fu Shenxiu quickly expressed his gratitude, but his emotions were mixed.
Since losing Qingtian Peak to Gu An, a sense of indignation had been building within him. However, hearing Gu An's decisive words filled him with a strange sense of admiration.
This is how a cultivator should act—bold and unyielding!
Recalling the moment when Gu An effortlessly captured Qingtian Peak, Fu Shenxiu's eyes burned with fervor.
Compared to Qingtian Peak, his anticipation for the Earth Origin Soul was even greater.
While immortal treasures were external aids, legends held that supreme immortals forged their own treasures eventually. Fu Shenxiu had always believed he was destined to reach the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Dao.
Thus, he cared more about improving his personal strength than obtaining external treasures.
As the conversation continued, Fu Shenxiu gradually began sharing information about various Unrestrained Primordial Immortals he had encountered, providing detailed intelligence.
Yongxin Fairy felt a sense of relief. She was aware of the tension between Gu An and Fu Shenxiu and hadn't expected Gu An to offer Fu Shenxiu a way to save face.
Perhaps this person isn't as difficult to deal with as rumored.
When An Xin returned to Gu An's side, she too noticed the harmonious atmosphere. She wasn't surprised. In her eyes, her master always seemed capable of getting along with others effortlessly.
"I'll help accelerate our journey," Gu An said with a faint smile.
Before Yongxin Fairy could respond, her expression shifted as she sensed the vast and overwhelming power of Gu An's mana.
The red pavilion's speed suddenly increased, surging forward like a streak of light across the skies.
Yongxin Fairy suppressed the astonishment in her heart and cautiously asked, "Senior, have you visited the Thunder Sea Demon Domain before?"
Gu An shook his head lightly, a relaxed smile on his face. "Not personally. However, I've probed it with my divine sense. The Thunder Sea Demon Domain is far from simple. What you're aware of is only the surface. Deep within, a Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal resides—that will be our greatest obstacle."
His tone was calm, as if discussing a trivial matter. He picked up a teacup beside him and began sipping leisurely.
A Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal!
Yongxin Fairy couldn't maintain her composure, her brows knitting tightly together.
Fu Shenxiu's heart was equally shaken. To speak of a Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal so casually, how profound must Gu An's cultivation truly be?
Meanwhile, An Xin was filled with curiosity.
What realm is Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal? Is it beyond Wandering Immortal?
Since neither Yongxin Fairy nor Fu Shenxiu mentioned the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, she mistakenly assumed that Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal came directly after Wandering Immortal.
Yongxin Fairy silently speculated, He must be at least at the fifth layer of the Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal Realm…
Her gaze toward Gu An grew increasingly reverent and filled with anticipation.
As their conversation continued, Yongxin Fairy no longer referred to Gu An as "Dao Friend" but respectfully addressed him as "Senior." Gu An accepted the title without objection, his demeanor as composed as ever.
An Xin, feeling proud of her master, straightened her posture and sat more formally.
A deafening roar of thunder echoed over the sea.
Waves surged and crashed as a massive black hawk darted through the torrential rain.
Standing on the hawk's back, Li Ya furrowed his brows, muttering, "Encountering such intense demonic energy right after entering… That old man couldn't have been setting me up, could he?"
Perched on his shoulder, the divine sprite nodded furiously. "I've always thought something was off about him. Claiming to be a 'Xunxian—the name itself sounds suspicious."
Li Ya's frown relaxed slightly, and he murmured, "Since I'm already here, I can't leave empty-handed. If I can't find the method to cultivate a treasure body, obtaining a demon treasure to strengthen my vitality wouldn't be too bad."
He unsheathed a slender sword from his waist, the blade gleaming coldly even amidst the storm.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion shattered the distant sea's surface. A colossal shadow erupted from the ocean, towering like a mountain rising from the depths, and disappeared into the thunderclouds.
The black hawk beneath Li Ya's feet slowed immediately, reluctant to approach recklessly.