The Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc floated silently behind the Annihilation God Emperor, suspended in the vastness of the universe. The disc radiated an aura of ancient creation, boundless and majestic. Its slow rotation was like the passage of time itself, eternal and unceasing.
Beneath the dark helmet of the Annihilation God Emperor, there was nothing but an abyss of blackness, akin to a bottomless void. No one could discern his expression, but his trembling body betrayed the turmoil within him.
The thunderous clash of their opposing Daos gradually subsided until the universe was enveloped in silence.
Gu An stared coldly at the Annihilation God Emperor, his heart still surging with killing intent.
The Dao technique that the Annihilation God Emperor had unleashed just moments ago was none other than the divine art of Long Zhan, Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Aspect. This technique was Long Zhan's life's work, capable of summoning reincarnated bodies to fight on his behalf.
After killing Long Zhan, the Annihilation God Emperor had not only stolen Long Zhan's divine art but had also taken over the body of a descendant from the Dragon Clan as a reincarnation vessel.
Gu An hadn't deduced this through karmic calculation—such techniques could obscure karma—but rather from the glimpse of Long Xin's figure amidst the battle.
Long Xin had become the reincarnation vessel of the Annihilation God Emperor. How could Gu An not be enraged?
"What an overbearing divine art," the Annihilation God Emperor's cold voice broke the silence. "But you have not yet reached the Profound Origin Realm."
The disappointment in his tone was evident. He had hoped that Gu An had used a higher realm to defeat his body, but based on the power displayed moments ago, Gu An was at the same cultivation level as himself.
Two opponents of the same realm, and yet he couldn't even withstand a single strike?
What the Annihilation God Emperor didn't know was that Gu An had indeed surpassed the Dao Repository Free Immortal Realm, ascending to the Profound Origin Free Immortal Realm. However, Gu An had deliberately suppressed his cultivation to match the Annihilation God Emperor's level.
Gu An was someone who could fight on equal footing with beings at the peak of their realm. His combat prowess was terrifyingly powerful, refined over countless years of lifespan invested in his Dao techniques.
His strength wasn't merely a result of his cultivation level; every facet of his abilities was immensely formidable. Moreover, Gu An had fought this battle filled with rage.
Still, Gu An did not lose control of his emotions. He spoke calmly, "It seems you still possess a true body. Wherever it may be, heed my warning: do not meddle with the fates of the living beings of this world. The Heavenly Dao has its own rules of operation."
The figure of the Annihilation God Emperor began to dissipate. He stared at Gu An in silence, saying nothing.
Even as his form completely vanished, Gu An received no notification of stolen lifespan. This body was peculiar—Gu An couldn't determine if it was merely a projection, a clone, or a unique construct of flesh and blood.
What's more, the Annihilation God Emperor had not displayed any direct hostility toward Gu An, which made him all the more cautious.
Turning around, Gu An directed his gaze toward the Heavenly Spirit World.
Countless Heavenly Demons stood frozen in shock, their eyes wide as they stared at the Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc. None of them dared to move.
The appearance of the Annihilation God Emperor's Dao Gate had already left them awestruck. But the fact that Gu An had shattered it with a single strike and destroyed the emperor's body had utterly terrified them.
The greater the aura of the Annihilation God Emperor, the more devastating Gu An's instant victory became in their eyes.
The Heavenly Demons had completely lost their will to fight, some even forgetting to flee.
It wasn't until Gu An's figure emerged from the golden light, walking calmly back toward the Heavenly Spirit World, that the demons snapped out of their stupor and scrambled to retreat.
Gu An, however, did not pursue them. After all, Heavenly Demons were living beings too. Excessive slaughter could invite great trouble. Furthermore, Gu An had deliberately crafted an image of himself as a reclusive powerhouse who only intervened out of compassion for the suffering of all living beings. Wanton killing would undermine this persona.
He was determined not to leave any trace that might reveal the secret of his Lifespan Evolution ability.
Especially now, with the Annihilation God Emperor taking an interest in him.
It was possible that the Annihilation God Emperor had discovered the ability of Long Zhan's reincarnation to steal lifespan, which was why he had continuously chosen descendants of the Dragon Clan for his reincarnation experiments.
Walking amidst the golden light, Gu An ignored the fleeing Heavenly Demons, whose panic spread like a cascading rain of flowers. His thoughts were already elsewhere.
Lifting his gaze toward the Heavenly Spirit World, Gu An began calculating the karmic threads entangling it.
After this battle, the Heavenly Demons retreated, the Xuan You Divine Dynasty disbanded, and the world returned to the power struggles between immortal dynasties and Sacred Courts. However, the timeline for the eventual cleansing of all beings was significantly extended.
Although calamities would inevitably lead to the destruction of all life, heralding the rebirth of heaven and earth, at least for now, generations of living beings could live out their full lives in peace.
For ordinary mortals, a thousand years was an unattainable concept.
For most monsters, even ten thousand years was an unreachable lifespan.
To the living beings caught between the transition of the old and new heavens and earths, Gu An was nothing less than a savior.
And when the world was reborn, not all beings would perish. A select few would survive, becoming the pioneers of a new era. With their profound Dao cultivation, they would guide the nascent world, becoming deities and gods revered by countless beings.
Of course, fate would remain fluid and ever-changing. With the Annihilation God Emperor and the War Court setting their sights on the Heavenly Spirit World, and other Free Immortals from vast realms watching closely, the situation was fraught with danger.
This destiny was not unique to the Heavenly Spirit World. Every great realm faced a similar fate; the only difference lay in how soon or late it would arrive.
As Gu An passed through the golden layer of Heavenly Dao light, the natural disasters and tribulations plaguing the mortal realm began to subside. Though the process was slow, it granted ample time for mortal beings to seek refuge.
Gu An looked down at the human realm. The golden light illuminated his face, and with an indifferent expression, he appeared like an immortal god from the Nine Heavens. His cold and impartial aura seemed to embody absolute fairness toward all living beings.
Then, he noticed Ji Xiaoyu.
Ji Xiaoyu's form was gradually fading. Beneath her illusory body, the blazing flames of an innate Dao rune became visible, consuming her soul. The invisible laws of reincarnation surged like ocean waves toward her, ready to draw her into the innate Dao rune at any moment.
Ji Xiaoyu also raised her head, gazing at Gu An.
Gu An hesitated for a moment, parting his lips as though to speak.
Ji Xiaoyu's expression trembled slightly, seemingly taken aback. Before she could react further, she was absorbed into the innate Dao rune.
The rune contracted, vanishing into the depths of the ocean without a trace.
The Free Immortals nearby paid no attention to her disappearance; they were still in awe of the immense power displayed by the Sword Master of the Dao.
Even as seawater from all directions cascaded toward them, threatening to engulf them and drag them into the depths, they remained rooted in place, staring dumbfounded at the heavens.
Sheng Xiang took a deep breath, his expression complicated. Hidden within his sleeves, his hands were clenched into tight fists.
His heart was filled with lingering fear, leaving no room for relief.
Gu An's strength far exceeded his imagination. Sheng Xiang was now certain that even if Divine Sovereign were to return, he would stand no chance against Gu An.
The idea of recruiting such a powerful entity seemed laughable. From this moment forward, every decision made by the Sacred Court would have to consider the will of the Sword Master of the Dao.
Otherwise…
With a mere thought, the Sword Master of the Dao could annihilate the Sacred Court in an instant!
He wasn't the only one who had come to this realization. Sun Immortal Emperor shared the same thought.
The two locked eyes, silently reaching a mutual understanding.
They would both make a trip to the Tai Xuan Sect.
At the same time…
In the Third Medicine Valley, the disciples were still anxiously awaiting news.
Shen Zhen stood by the window, bathed in the golden light left in Gu An's wake. She squinted, as if trying to trace the source of the light to catch a glimpse of Gu An's figure. Her mind was in turmoil, unsure of the situation beyond the heavens.
"Gu An, you better not be in trouble. If something happens to you, who am I supposed to write my stories for?" Shen Zhen muttered through gritted teeth.
Her self-talk ended abruptly as her eyes widened in surprise. She rubbed her eyes furiously, and when she confirmed what she saw was real, a radiant smile spread across her face.