Yang Jian walked along the mountain path of the Third Medicine Valley, looking at the lively scene before him. His heart was filled with emotion.
So much time had passed; everything felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
After walking a while, Yang Jian didn't see anyone he recognized. He refrained from using his divine sense, as he didn't want to be intrusive now that he had returned to this place.
"Senior Brother Yang Jian?"
A surprised and delighted voice suddenly called out, prompting Yang Jian to turn his head. A female cultivator approached. She had a lovely face and looked to be in her thirties. Her eyes shone with excitement and even carried hints of tears.
Yang Jian looked at her, feeling she was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall her identity.
Several centuries had passed, a period so long it felt endless. Moreover, he had experienced many lifetimes after entering the Reincarnation Whirlpool. From his perspective, far more time had passed than mere centuries.
As the female cultivator stopped before him, her joyful gaze made him hesitate. After a moment's thought, he asked gently, "How have you been?"
She had called him by name, meaning she knew him. Without being able to explain the nature of reincarnation, he couldn't exactly admit he had forgotten her.
The female cultivator, overcome with emotion, began recounting her life since Yang Jian's departure. From her words, Yang Jian pieced together her identity and learned about the changes in the Third Medicine Valley and the world at large since he had left.
When he heard that Gu An's cultivation level had already been revealed, he wasn't surprised. On his way here, he had already heard about what had happened in recent days.
His return to the valley wasn't entirely personal; it had been arranged by the Sacred Court. Initially, he was sent back to provide battle support, but now his task was to locate Gu An. The mission was significant enough that the Sacred Minister had personally escorted him. At this moment, the Sacred Minister was meditating outside the valley, contemplating the sword intent radiating from the Heaven Mending Platform.
Though few people in the Third Medicine Valley still remembered Yang Jian after all these years, his name had continued to be passed down.
The female cultivator, no longer a disciple of the valley, had come back today to visit her juniors. Encountering Yang Jian left her overwhelmed with joy. She introduced him to everyone she met. Those who had heard of him were surprised, while those who hadn't were equally welcoming when they learned he was a disciple of the Sword Master of the Dao.
This reception eased much of Yang Jian's nervousness.
Carrying out a task for the Sacred Court made him feel uneasy, but fortunately, the Sacred Minister hadn't asked him to do anything unreasonable. The goal was simply to inquire about Gu An's views on the future of the world.
At the same time, another figure arrived: Zhang Xianwang from the Immortal Dynasty.
Years ago, Zhang Xianwang had represented the Immortal Dynasty in an attempt to recruit the Sword Master of the Dao. During that process, he had crossed paths with Gu An. So much time had passed since then that he had almost forgotten about Gu An, until the Sun Immortal Emperor summoned him.
The emperor revealed that Gu An and the Sword Master of the Dao were one and the same. Not only that, but the emperor personally escorted Zhang Xianwang to the Third Medicine Valley.
As Zhang Xianwang stepped into the valley, his mind was in a daze.
The once-blurry memories of Gu An became startlingly clear. Reflecting on their interactions, Zhang Xianwang realized that every moment back then had been shrouded in mystery. Gu An's bright smile now seemed full of hidden meaning. This realization made Zhang Xianwang nervous and unsure of how to face him.
His steps grew slower, and a sense of dread crept over him.
What should he say to the strongest being who had saved the entire Heavenly Spirit World?
What could he possibly say?
Zhang Xianwang's thoughts spiraled into chaos.
No one greeted him along the way—not because the disciples of the Third Medicine Valley had grown arrogant, but because everyone was still brimming with excitement from the previous day's great battle. Most of their attention was drawn to Yang Jian.
Suddenly—
Smack!
A hand landed on Zhang Xianwang's shoulder, startling him so badly that his body trembled. His Unrestrained Primordial Immortal soul nearly scattered.
He instinctively turned to look, and the sight left him completely stunned.
"Brother Zhang, it's been a while."
Gu An stood before him, his face lit with a cheerful smile. Having just completed a breakthrough, his mood was excellent.
At this moment, Gu An had advanced to the Vast Heaven Free Immortal Realm—late stage!
He still had over 31 million years of lifespan remaining. How could he not feel elated? Along with his joy came a sense of awe.
Breaking through this stage had cost him 450 million years of lifespan!
For his next major breakthrough, he estimated he would need to prepare over 10 billion years of lifespan. On the bright side, that would likely unlock new abilities as well.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Gu An's smile grew wider. "Brother Zhang, what's this? Don't you recognize me?"
With his cultivation at the Vast Heaven Free Immortal Realm, Gu An could now see through Zhang Xianwang's purpose for coming. He could discern all of Zhang Xianwang's fate and even hear his thoughts.
This was the power of the Vast Heaven Free Immortal Realm, allowing one to merge their will with the rules of the universe. With this, Gu An could know all things within the heavens and earth.
In a sense, Gu An could now act as the "Heaven" of the Heavenly Spirit World.
Zhang Xianwang snapped out of his daze, his face filled with panic as he stammered, "Of course, I haven't forgotten you… no, I mean, I haven't forgotten you…"
"Hm? What's this about 'you'? Are you not treating me as a friend? Don't call me that—I don't like it," Gu An said, feigning annoyance.
He wasn't deliberately putting on a show. He had always felt goodwill toward Zhang Xianwang. Back when they first met, Zhang Xianwang didn't know Gu An's true cultivation level. Despite being a lofty Unrestrained Primordial Immortal, Zhang Xianwang had been willing to treat a "mortal-level" cultivator as an equal, proving he lacked the arrogance common among immortals.
Even now, as a Vast Heaven Free Immortal, Gu An still enjoyed a simple and ordinary life. He had no desire to become a distant, indifferent deity. He wanted to remain grounded and live like a normal person.
Of course, that was how he felt for now. Whether he would change in the future, he couldn't say, but he hoped to remain carefree in his daily life.
"I..." Zhang Xianwang suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
Before he could say more, Gu An grabbed his arm and began leading him toward his pavilion.
Zhang Xianwang dared not resist, but he felt a surge of relief and excitement. Gu An's approachable attitude lifted a significant weight from his shoulders.
As he glanced at Gu An's profile, a wave of admiration filled his heart. This man, whose cultivation far surpassed even the emperor's, could still lower himself to treat those of lower realms as equals.
In retrospect, the words Gu An had spoken to that mysterious being back then resonated with truth. He genuinely harbored a heart that sought to understand all living beings.
Suddenly, a thunderous cheer erupted across the Third Medicine Valley, echoing through its many peaks and halls. Someone had spotted Gu An's return, and disciples surged like an unstoppable tide in his direction.
How bold of them, Zhang Xianwang thought. Surely, Gu An would reprimand these disciples for their lack of decorum.
But what happened next left him utterly dumbfounded.
Gu An didn't scold the disciples. Instead, he smiled warmly and greeted them one by one, answering their questions with patience and sincerity.
As Zhang Xianwang watched the scene unfold, he found himself increasingly unable to reconcile the man before him with the image of an invincible master. The Gu An before him felt almost like an ordinary mortal, and yet he exuded an aura that commanded reverence.
True strength, Zhang Xianwang realized, wasn't about standing above others—it was about encompassing and embracing everything.
At that moment, Zhang Xianwang felt his journey had already been worthwhile. Though he hadn't yet delved into Gu An's perspective on the world's future, he felt he had gained invaluable insight.
Zhang Xianwang was never a man prone to arrogance. Often, however, the weight of representing the Immortal Dynasty forced him to maintain a lofty demeanor. Now, seeing Gu An's genuine approachability, he felt a deep sense of humility.
"Master!"
Yang Jian pushed his way through the crowd, his voice filled with emotion as he called out to Gu An.
Gu An turned toward him and smiled. "Jian'er, long time no see. Come, let's talk in my room."
Hearing this, Yang Jian's excitement grew, and any lingering anxieties he had melted away.
With that, Gu An led Zhang Xianwang and Yang Jian forward, pausing occasionally to exchange greetings with disciples and old friends they passed along the way.
Zhang Xianwang wasn't the only one moved by Gu An's demeanor. Jue Luo Sword Master, watching from afar, was equally affected.
He couldn't understand why Gu An, as someone so powerful, could interact so effortlessly with these mortal disciples. Nor could he comprehend why these disciples lacked any sense of fear or awe toward him.
"Master!"
The familiar voice of Zhen Qin rang out from behind the crowd. Surrounded by a group of disciples, she and Ye Lan approached with bright smiles.
Gu An chuckled and gestured toward his pavilion. "Come, let's talk inside."
Ye Lan couldn't help but smile as she looked at Gu An.
Senior Brother is still the same, she thought, no matter how powerful he becomes, he's always so approachable.
It was some time later that Gu An finally returned to his pavilion with Zhang Xianwang, Yang Jian, Zhen Qin, and Ye Lan in tow.
Once inside, Gu An invited them to sit and casually asked Zhen Qin to prepare tea.
Though Zhen Qin no longer resided in the Third Medicine Valley, she felt nothing but joy at being entrusted with such a task.
Her heart warmed. Master still considers me part of his family.
Gu An started by exchanging pleasantries with Zhang Xianwang and introducing him to Ye Lan and Yang Jian.
When Ye Lan learned that Zhang Xianwang came from the Immortal Dynasty, she felt a brief jolt of surprise but quickly brushed it aside.
After all, who wouldn't want to forge a connection with her senior brother in his current position?
However, when she discovered that Yang Jian was the reincarnation of the Sacred Court's Sacred King, her shock was evident.
At the same time, this revelation further solidified her belief that Gu An himself was a reincarnated great power. The memories from her youth weren't an illusion.
Zhang Xianwang, on the other hand, wasn't particularly surprised. From Yang Jian's aura, he could clearly sense the Sacred Court's destiny surrounding him, as well as traces of an old acquaintance's presence.
Has he already left?
Zhang Xianwang thought of Tian Zong and felt a twinge of regret.
Still, years of experience had hardened his spirit. Such thoughts didn't weigh him down for long.
"I know why you've both come," Gu An suddenly said.
His voice had lost its earlier warmth, and his expression was now solemn.
In that instant, an overwhelming pressure bore down upon Zhang Xianwang and Yang Jian.
It felt as if they were standing before the very Heavenly Dao itself.