There had always been legends of the phoenix on Tianhuang Mountain. Tian Yao'er, whose true form was a unique avian species harboring a mysterious flame, had long made Gu An suspect her connection to the mythical phoenix.
"Master, what are you looking at?" Tian Yao'er asked nervously.
Tian Qing and Tian Bai also glanced toward the sky but saw nothing, their anxiety mounting.
Could there be something they couldn't perceive that had infiltrated the Hidden Paradise Cave Heaven?
Gu An shifted his gaze back to Tian Yao'er. On her, he detected a faint trace of karmic connection to the phoenix. Though faint, it undeniably existed, confirming her as a descendant of the phoenix.
This discovery didn't worry him. The link was so weak that even when Gu An had been in the True Immortal Realm, he couldn't detect it. This meant the bloodline connection between Tian Yao'er and the phoenix spanned countless generations.
Furthermore, that phoenix was only at the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal level of cultivation.
"There's no need to worry," Gu An said calmly. "I was just observing your ancestor. The unease you're feeling stems from their restlessness, transmitted to you through your bloodline."
"Ancestor?"
Tian Yao'er had lost her parents long ago and regarded Gu An as her sole reliance. Now, upon hearing she had an ancestor, her emotions became complicated.
Her lips parted, but she ultimately remained silent.
Tian Qing, however, couldn't hold back her curiosity. "Master, who is her ancestor? What level of cultivation are they at?"
Tian Bai, her wide eyes filled with anticipation, also awaited Gu An's response.
Gu An smiled faintly and countered, "Do you remember the legend of the phoenix on Tianhuang Mountain?"
At these words, a mix of anticipation, nervousness, and resentment flickered across Tian Yao'er's face. In that moment, her usual carefree demeanor gave way to a profound complexity.
"Could it be that Miss is a descendant of the phoenix?" Tian Bai gasped, her eyes widening.
Gu An chuckled and nodded. "But the bloodline is so diluted that countless generations have passed. Furthermore, the descendants of that phoenix are innumerable."
He wasn't exaggerating. Tracing the threads of karma connected to the phoenix, Gu An saw an intricate web spanning the world. Descendants like Tian Yao'er, varying even in species, could be found everywhere—even within the seas.
Hearing his explanation, Tian Yao'er seemed to let go of a heavy burden. She exhaled audibly, her lips curling into a smile.
Gu An studied her expression and teasingly asked, "Were you afraid just now?"
Tian Yao'er nodded earnestly. "I don't want any so-called ancestor. I only want to stay by Master's side. When I was imprisoned by the Tianhuang Demon Mother, when I was hunted, no ancestor ever appeared to save me."
Learning of her ancestor's existence had filled her with more fear than relief. What she dreaded most was Gu An abandoning her by sending her to that ancestor.
Gu An stepped closer, ruffling her hair affectionately. "What are you thinking? How could I ever abandon you? Even if that phoenix wanted to take you away, I wouldn't allow it. I've raised you for so many years. Do you think I did it for nothing?"
Hearing this, Tian Yao'er's smile grew even brighter.
In truth, Gu An wouldn't stop her if she ever chose to leave. He was now powerful enough not to fear the exposure of the Hidden Paradise Cave Heaven.
But he worried that offering her the freedom to leave might only unsettle her further.
Tian Qing and Tian Bai weren't as thoughtful. Their minds lingered on curiosity about the phoenix's strength.
"Don't ask," Gu An warned, his tone playful yet firm. "The phoenix is undoubtedly strong. If you inquire too much, it might enter your dreams and eat you."
The two demons shivered at his words, their curiosity snuffed out instantly.
It wasn't until midday that Gu An left the cave.
His destination was the Northern Sea Mountain Range, where he would meet with Xuanmiao Zhenren in his guise as the Mountain God.
Xuanmiao Zhenren had grown accustomed to a life of detachment from worldly affairs. He tended flowers, cultivated herbs, and lived contentedly. Occasionally, he engaged in discussions of the Dao with passing cultivators.
This tranquil life suited him well.
When Gu An, in his Mountain God form, appeared before him, Xuanmiao Zhenren was far less reserved than he had been centuries ago.
The elder stood and bowed respectfully.
Seated on the eaves of Xuanmiao's small cottage, Gu An asked, "Have you encountered any difficulties in your cultivation recently?"
Though the Mountain God Temple didn't yield much in terms of lifespan income, Xuanmiao Zhenren's sincerity had impressed Gu An. Thus, he didn't mind offering occasional guidance.
Xuanmiao Zhenren shook his head with a smile. "None for now."
Looking up at the figure perched above him, the elder hesitated before asking, "In your view, can the Immortal Dynasty and the Sacred Court truly be considered immortal?"
It was a question he had pondered for a long time, though he'd feared it might be inappropriate to ask.
The blessings bestowed by the Immortal Dynasty's Yuanxu Immortal Ancestor had deeply shaken him, shattering his prior understanding.
In his eyes, not even a Mountain God could achieve such feats.
Now, with rumors of imminent war between the Immortal Dynasty and the Sacred Court, his heart grew increasingly conflicted.
How could beings that claimed to be immortals stoop to fighting over worldly power?
If the Immortal Dynasty and Sacred Court weren't true immortals, what were they? And if mortals could surpass immortals, what did that signify?
These unresolved doubts had taken root, and Xuanmiao Zhenren longed for answers.
Gu An, legs crossed and mask obscuring his face, gazed down at the elder with eyes as deep as the abyss. "What do you think an immortal should be?" he asked.
"Someone like you," Xuanmiao Zhenren replied without hesitation. "A protector of the people, untainted by worldly desires."
"If that's what you believe, why ask the question?"
"I just…"
Xuanmiao Zhenren furrowed his brows, unsure how to respond.
Gu An asked, "Do you think they are stronger than me, making it difficult for you to distinguish who is truly an immortal?"
Xuanmiao Zhenren nodded, his gaze filled with tension as he looked at Gu An, afraid of invoking the Mountain God's displeasure.
"Have you ever thought about the purpose of cultivating here with me? If you are so fixated on immortals, why not strive to become one yourself?"
Faced with this question, Xuanmiao Zhenren's eyes widened in shock, and he stammered, "How could I ever become an immortal?"
"Your confusion mirrors the struggles of the entire world," Gu An said meaningfully. "What you see may not be the truth. The heavens themselves await the arrival of a true immortal. Why can't that be you?"
In truth, Gu An was making this up, hoping to shift Xuanmiao Zhenren's focus back to cultivation.
Over the years, every passerby Xuanmiao Zhenren encountered had been told of the Mountain God's might and benevolence. This fervent devotion caused more people to silently pray to the Mountain God in times of hardship.
Though Gu An hadn't responded to these prayers, the collective yearning generated a form of power similar to destiny, which he called wish power.
Perhaps true immortals walked the path of wish power, feeling the suffering of all beings. But Gu An's pursuit wasn't immortality—it was eternal life.
Since Xuanmiao Zhenren yearned so deeply for immortality, Gu An saw no harm in nurturing him to that end.
To become an immortal, one must first possess the ability to save all beings. A kind heart alone wasn't enough.
Xuanmiao Zhenren fell into silence, his heart racing as he mulled over Gu An's words.
Gu An leapt down from the eaves and left the courtyard to gather herbs, with Xuanmiao Zhenren trailing behind.
"Can… can someone like me truly become an immortal?" Xuanmiao Zhenren asked cautiously.
Gu An didn't turn back. "Immortality doesn't depend on being lofty; it stems from having a sincere heart."
Xuanmiao Zhenren's expression shifted. He was deeply shaken by these words.
The two eventually returned to the courtyard.
After giving a few instructions, Gu An was about to leave when Xuanmiao Zhenren suddenly looked up at him. With a firm voice, he declared, "Mountain God, I've made up my mind. I will become an immortal and establish the Heavenly Court!"
Gu An paused, turning his head in surprise. "The Heavenly Court?"
"It's the celestial force described in Journey to the West," Xuanmiao Zhenren explained earnestly. "In the book, the immortals and gods exorcised demons, brought rain to the mortals, and protected the world. Although the Heavenly Court in the story had its flaws, it still cared for the common people."
As he spoke, his face grew resolute, his eyes glowing with determination.
Gu An smiled faintly but said nothing, disappearing from the eaves moments later.
With newfound ambition, Xuanmiao Zhenren sat cross-legged, vowing to cultivate diligently and never let the Mountain God's guidance go to waste.
The Lunar New Year arrived.
This year's celebration was livelier than ever, as Tai Xuan Sect had invited numerous sects to join the festivities.
The Third Medicine Valley was adorned with lanterns and streamers, bustling with excitement. Every disciple wore a radiant smile.
As night fell, performances were staged on a temporary platform, keeping the festive atmosphere lively and joyous.
Gu An, holding a wine cup, gazed up at the night sky.
The stars were scattered across the heavens, shining with an exquisite beauty, as if even the universe was celebrating the new year.
However, outside the celestial sphere, tension between the sects of the Heavenly Spirit World and the demons near the Desolation Domain was escalating.
Sweeping his gaze across the starry expanse, Gu An noticed that the number of demons had surpassed a million. The weakest among them were at the Loose Immortal Realm, and there were even two at the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm—the primary reason the Heavenly Spirit World didn't dare act recklessly.
He saw that Sacred Court cultivators were negotiating with these Divine Thought True Immortal demons. From the looks of it, the demons held the upper hand.
The Sacred Court of the present wasn't as formidable as the legends suggested.
The demons, too, were testing the Sacred Court's stance, while the Sacred Court avoided direct confrontation, clearly harboring secrets.
Based on Gu An's judgment, a large-scale battle was imminent.
Gu An had no intention of intervening. With the Immortal Dynasty and the Sacred Court involved, he could stay out of it.
Having recently broken through, Gu An wasn't in a hurry to gather lifespan. He preferred to lay low for the time being.
"Master, let's have a drinking contest!" Long Qing exclaimed, excitedly approaching Gu An.
Gu An smirked, accepting the challenge. "Fine. Come at me."
The wine brewed in the Medicine Valley was spirit wine, potent enough to intoxicate even cultivators.
It wasn't until the latter half of the night that the festivities in the Third Medicine Valley finally quieted down.
The next morning, Gu An left the Third Medicine Valley.
He made his way to Xuan Valley, where he spent a stick of incense's time chatting with the disciples before entering the Eight Views Heavenly Cave.
From afar, he saw a massive figure sprawled beneath the Ancient Vine Tree—a black jiao dragon.
[Hao Long (Void Crossing Realm, Fifth Layer): 387/8000/18000]
Examining Hao Long's lifespan, Gu An felt a twinge of disappointment.
It seemed that over the years, Hao Long hadn't encountered any significant opportunities.
Sensing Gu An's presence, the jiao dragon opened its eyes. Upon seeing him, it immediately sprang up.
"Master!"
Hao Long's excited voice rang out as it dashed toward Gu An, stirring up a gust of wind that rustled the surrounding vegetation.
Its massive body shrank to just two meters in length as it tried to pounce into Gu An's arms. But Gu An calmly pressed the dragon's head down with his Dingming Pen, keeping it at bay.
"What are you doing here?" Gu An asked.
Hao Long grinned sheepishly. "The cultivators from Gu Hao Sect came to participate in Tai Xuan Sect's New Year festival. I secretly followed them, wanting to see you."
Gu An chuckled. "You're the sacred beast of Gu Hao Sect. Do you think you can just sneak away unnoticed?"
Even as he spoke, Gu An could sense someone approaching the Eight Views Heavenly Cave.
Far from annoyed, Gu An felt a hint of excitement.