"Run away?"
Upon hearing An Hao's words, Sun Immortal Emperor furrowed his brows, his expression turning serious. He immediately asked, "Why must you flee? And where should you run to?"
An Hao was just about to speak when, suddenly, a blazing golden flame erupted from within the Heavenly Dao Golden Core, surging forth at an unimaginable speed and piercing directly into his forehead.
In that instant, An Hao's eyes widened in shock. His hand shot up, clutching his head as an unbearable sensation spread through him. As he tilted his head back, a thin golden mark slowly emerged at the center of his forehead—resembling a closed eye.
Sun Immortal Emperor's face paled in horror. Instinctively, he turned to look at the Heavenly Dao Golden Core.
It remained motionless, standing there like an immovable relic, exuding an ancient aura. It was as if it had witnessed countless eras, from the rise and fall of empires to the shifting stars of the cosmos. The weight of boundless time had shaped its unfathomable presence.
Meanwhile, An Hao collapsed to his knees, his body trembling uncontrollably. His face contorted in agony, clearly enduring an excruciating pain beyond human comprehension.
Sun Immortal Emperor swiftly stepped forward, intending to help him, but an immense force suddenly repelled him.
Boom!
He was sent flying backward, soaring hundreds of meters before finally landing. Even then, the force pushed him further, causing him to stagger several steps before he could steady himself. When he raised his right hand, his palm was scorched beyond recognition, blood dripping from his fingers.
His gaze remained fixed on An Hao, his brows furrowing even tighter.
An Hao knelt there, his head bowed. Wisps of golden flames seeped from between his fingers, his entire body convulsing violently, unable to make a sound.
"Could it be... he truly is Heaven's Chosen One?"
Sun Immortal Emperor murmured, his expression filled with complexity.
The reason he had chosen An Hao was, of course, because of his extraordinary fate. But there was another motive—he wished to forge a closer connection with Sword Master of the Dao.
After all, An Hao was Sword Master of the Dao's only known direct disciple.
However, never in his wildest dreams had he expected that, upon arriving here, An Hao would be recognized by the Heavenly Dao Golden Core without even lifting a finger.
Throughout the long history of the Immortal Dynasty, no such precedent had ever been recorded.
"An Hao... just who are you, really?"
But An Hao could no longer hear Sun Immortal Emperor's voice.
At this moment, he was enduring agony beyond mortal comprehension—not only was his body suffering unbearable torment, but even his very soul felt as if it were being torn apart.
His mind was flooded with visions—scenes of his worst nightmares made manifest.
He saw his wife and child brutally slain. He saw his junior sister suffering endless torment. He saw his master's gravestone standing alone in a desolate land.
Each vision stabbed into his heart like a poisoned blade, tormenting him to the point of madness.
"If you don't escape… you will end up just like them."
A cold, emotionless voice echoed repeatedly in his mind, reverberating deep within his consciousness.
Thirty-seven years later, the New Year had just passed.
Gu An strolled through the outer sect city, with Blood Prison Saint and Long Qing following closely behind.
Three hundred years ago, Shen Xin Zi had returned to the Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect, leaving Long Qing to fully embrace his role as Gu An's ever-present companion. Wherever Gu An went, as long as Long Qing caught wind of it, he would follow without hesitation.
As they walked, numerous people greeted Gu An with respect, most of them either his old friends or disciples who had completed their training.
More than four hundred years had passed since Sword Master of the Dao had shaken the world, and over time, the immense shock he had brought to the world gradually settled. Under the control of the Tai Xuan Sect's dark faction, those who knew Gu An's true identity no longer spread it around. Once again, Sword Master of the Dao became a legend of the past.
Yet, even without the title of Sword Master of the Dao, Gu An remained a figure of great renown—as the Valley Lord of the Third Medicine Valley, his prestige was undeniable.
"Master, does the Heaven-Sundering Axe really have an inheritance? Or did you leave it behind just to mess with people?" Long Qing suddenly quickened his pace, catching up to Gu An, his curiosity getting the better of him.
He had, on more than one occasion, gone to the Heaven Mending Platform to try and pull out the Heaven-Sundering Axe, but no matter what he did, it remained immovable.
These days, most of the people attempting to claim the Heaven-Sundering Axe weren't genuinely seeking its inheritance—they simply wanted to witness firsthand the strength of Sword Master of the Dao.
Gu An kept his gaze forward and replied casually, "Of course, there is an inheritance. You'll understand in due time."
Long Qing wanted to ask more, but suddenly, he looked up.
Not just him—Blood Prison Saint did the same.
Above them, in the vast blue sky, streaks of silver light appeared—countless meteor-like trails cutting through the heavens, all heading in the same direction. It was a breathtakingly magnificent sight.
Pedestrians on the streets soon noticed the strange phenomenon.
"What is that?"
"Is it sword aura?"
"No… there are people inside! Could it be some great sect moving through the skies?"
"People? This doesn't look like they're passing overhead… it seems more like they're descending from above!"
"Don't worry—this is the Tai Xuan Sect. It may not be the strongest sect, but it is undoubtedly the safest. Over the years, despite the raging war between the Sacred Court and the Immortal Dynasty, with both sides attacking each other relentlessly, their battles have never reached here."
The cultivators engaged in fervent discussion, but Gu An only took a glance before withdrawing his gaze and continuing forward.
Blood Prison Saint and Long Qing followed behind, their conversation shifting to the origin of those streaking meteors.
With his divine sense, Blood Prison Saint was able to detect that the meteors were, in fact, a group of individuals shrouded in powerful sword aura. What intrigued him even more was that these individuals had come from beyond the heavens. This revelation only deepened Long Qing's curiosity about the worlds beyond.
Though Long Qing had yet to cultivate spiritual energy, as he aged, he had become increasingly aware that he himself was not originally from this world. Moreover, there seemed to be some grand destiny awaiting him.
But unlike before, he no longer felt anxious about it. Instead, he began to enjoy his current life. He had an instinctive feeling that once he uncovered his true purpose, this peaceful existence would become a luxury he could never again afford.
Gu An, however, had already seen through the origins of the sword cultivators.
Grand Sword of the Great Hong!
Summoned by Jue Luo Sword Master.
Grand Sword of the Great Hong was planning to establish a sect in the seas near Tai Cang Continent, ready to assist Gu An at any time.
But Gu An wasn't particularly concerned about this matter. What occupied his mind was something far more significant.
Xiao Chuan's Extinguishing Dao Fate Seal had appeared!
Which meant that Xiao Chuan was about to descend into Heavenly Spirit Great World!
After all these years, Gu An had finally waited long enough.
Just the thought of reuniting with his junior brother filled his heart with joy. He even began to hum a tune as he walked.
Noticing his master's good mood, Long Qing gathered his courage and asked about the origins of the sword cultivators they had just seen.
"You'll have plenty of chances to interact with them in the future," Gu An replied casually.
He was increasingly taking on the demeanor of an enlightened master—knowing everything but refusing to explain, letting others experience things for themselves.
And to be honest, this feeling of foreseeing the future and witnessing fate unfold was quite enjoyable.
Meanwhile.
Nestled within a mountain range, a wooden house stood halfway up the slope. A couple stood on the edge of a cliff, gazing out at the verdant mountains and rivers.
The woman cradled a newborn baby in her arms, her delicate face filled with worry as she looked down at her child.
Turning her head toward her husband, she asked, "Husband, you still haven't named our child. Don't tell me… you're thinking of going back?"
The man, dressed in black, had an undeniably handsome face, but the strands of white at his temples added an air of melancholy to his otherwise youthful appearance.
"It's precisely because he has been born that I must return," the man, Chen Luo, said gravely. "Ling'er, you should understand—if I don't go back, the three of us will never have peace. Those enemies of mine won't let us go."
His wife, Xu Ling, leaned closer to him as she spoke, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "But… in the Sacred Domain, is there truly no place for us to settle? What if we leave the Sacred Domain altogether?"
Chen Luo sighed. "It's even more chaotic and dangerous outside. Without a powerful backing, even with our Mahayana Realm cultivation, protecting our son would be near impossible. No, we have to return. At worst, I will kneel before my mother and admit my mistakes. You've already given birth to our child—surely she won't make things difficult for you."
"But…" Xu Ling hesitated, struggling to find the words.
Chen Luo turned to her, grasping her shoulders firmly. "Ling'er, trust me. Even if it costs me my life, I will ensure you and our child's safety. I cannot bear to see you suffer anymore, nor do I want our son to be born into a life of endless grudges."
The baby in Xu Ling's arms slowly opened his eyes, his bright gaze piercing into his mother's heart, softening her resolve.
"You're right… we can't let him carry the burden of hatred…" she murmured, as if convincing herself.
Seeing her relent, Chen Luo finally breathed a sigh of relief. Pulling his wife into a tight embrace, he spoke with unwavering determination.
"I swear, I will give you a peaceful life. And I will avenge your fallen clan."
Xu Ling trembled slightly at his words but said nothing. Instead, she slowly closed her eyes.
High above, a flock of white cranes soared out from the mountain forest, their wings spread wide as they flew into the distance. The golden sunlight bathed them in a divine glow, making them appear like celestial beings. Like a symbol of hope, they flew toward the horizon, disappearing into the boundless sky.