Upon hearing Gu An's words, Chen Luo's face turned red, feeling both ashamed and uncertain.
"But... even if I continue cultivating now, will I make it in time?" Chen Luo gritted his teeth and asked.
He had once been in the Mahayana Realm himself, so he understood the power of cultivation. However, his wife had died right in front of him, and even the Sacred King couldn't prevent it.
That was the Sacred King—throughout the history of the Chen family, no one had ever reached a level comparable to him.
Gu An fixed his gaze on him and said, "I can save your wife from this tragedy, but future misfortunes will be up to you to prevent. I'll tell you this in advance—your son's fate is not simple. He will bring endless trouble in the future. Your wife died because of him."
"You have two choices: One, sever all karma with your son—I can erase any ties between you two as if they never existed. Two, continue being his father, but there will be no turning back. No matter how difficult things get in the future, you won't have another chance to walk away. Regardless of what you choose, I will still save your wife."
Chen Luo's expression changed dramatically as he clenched his fists.
Gu An could hear the turmoil in his mind, the voices of his thoughts clashing—some even carrying a tinge of darkness. But Gu An paid them no mind.
Humans were complicated beings, and everyone had their own hidden shadows. As long as one's actions were just, there was no need to judge their heart.
The room fell into silence.
After a long while...
Chen Luo let out a deep breath and said, "Senior, I am willing to protect him for a lifetime. Father and son bonds take countless lifetimes to forge—I should not run from my responsibility. Besides, I believe my wife would feel the same. I will devote myself to cultivation and protect him in the future. No matter the cost, even if it means being shattered to pieces, I will not regret it."
Gu An's expression remained indifferent. "Are you sure you won't regret it?"
Chen Luo no longer hesitated. He smiled resolutely and said, "I will never regret it."
Gu An smiled. "Then go and cultivate well."
Without waiting for Chen Luo to react, Gu An waved his sleeve, sweeping him away.
The furnishings in the room shook slightly, yet the door remained still. In an instant, Chen Luo was transported to the Submerged Spirit Palace Dao Grounds.
Gu An had no interest in watching the emotional reunion between husband and wife. It was enough to let the Deep Sea Dragon Koi suffer for a while.
However, based on his experiences, it would probably find it amusing rather than distressing.
Gu An placed the Heavenly Dao Discourse on the table, opened it, and began reading.
The sunlight outside gradually dimmed, yet Gu An did not put the book away.
—
Chen Luo's arrival and departure had not caused any waves in the Third Medicine Valley. Only Long Qing curiously asked Gu An about it.
A month later...
Gu An rode on Blood Prison Saint as they returned to Third Medicine Valley. Today, they had visited Tianya Valley, and both were in a good mood.
"Hahaha! That Lu Xian really overestimated himself! He actually thought he could compete with me! The moment I used my full strength, he was down on the ground!" Blood Prison Saint, now in the form of a bull, snorted proudly.
Within the boundary drawn by Gu An, Blood Prison Saint had sparred with Lu Xian at full power. In the end, the Loose Immortal Realm Blood Prison Saint had claimed victory.
Even though Blood Prison Saint's cultivation was higher, Gu An thought that Lu Xian had done well to fight at such a level.
As expected of a future top cultivator in the immortal world.
Gu An casually chatted with Blood Prison Saint while his divine sense scanned the world, watching how his old acquaintances were faring.
Li Ya was being pursued, his life hanging by a thread, while he carried a mother and her child with him.
You Yingying was listening to a Dao lecture. On an island, a so-called "Immortal of Eternal Life" was claiming to teach the path to immortality to fated individuals. In reality, he was nothing more than a wicked cultivator who had committed countless atrocities.
An Hao was still sitting before the Heavenly Dao Golden Core, comprehending Heavenly Dao Divine Powers, his strength skyrocketing.
Lu Lingjun was still cultivating in the Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect. Recently, the Buddha had posed a difficult question to her, and she was meditating in silence, seeking understanding.
Jiang Qiong was training alone, her devilish nature fully on display—she was attempting to steal another sect's sacred cultivation technique.
Gu An also saw Hao Long, who had established himself as a ruler over a continent dominated by demons. However, his second-in-command was secretly plotting to kill him and take his true blood.
And there were others, each with their own stories, each living their own extraordinary lives.
As long as there was no need, Gu An did not interfere. Sometimes, watching as an outsider was enjoyable in itself.
At that moment, a green-robed Daoist appeared before Blood Prison Saint, cupping his hands in greeting. "I am He Qingsong. Greetings, Sword Master."
Blood Prison Saint immediately became irritated. "Never heard of you! Get lost! How dare you block our path! Be careful, or I'll trample you to death!"
He had seen all of Gu An's acquaintances before, but never this man, so he felt no need to show courtesy.
He Qingsong, however, did not react with anger. Instead, he remained calm and composed, looking directly at Gu An with an air of confidence, which only made Blood Prison Saint even more annoyed.
Gu An studied He Qingsong and asked with a smile, "What is it you want?"
[He Qingsong (Nirvana Realm, Eighth Layer): 6420/20000/20000]
His lifespan was average, and he had reached the limits of his potential. At first glance, he seemed unremarkable. However, his entire being was enveloped in Heavenly Dao Fortune, even more concentrated than what the Heavenly Sect once possessed, which piqued Gu An's interest.
The Heavenly Dao Fortune surrounding him was so intense that even Gu An could not deduce his karma or fate.
He Qingsong remained neither servile nor overbearing as he said, "Sword Master, what is your view of this world? Would you be willing to become an immortal god, a protector of all beings?"
Blood Prison Saint fell silent after Gu An spoke, but now he turned to glare at He Qingsong in suspicion. Was this man more significant than he appeared?
To Blood Prison Saint, He Qingsong was nothing more than a regular Nirvana Realm cultivator.
In Tai Xuan Sect, Nirvana Realm cultivators were no longer rare.
A few years ago, even a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm cultivator had become an elder of Tai Xuan Sect, making a grand spectacle of his arrival.
Gu An shook his head and said, "I have no particular thoughts on this. I do not wish to become an immortal god. I only want to reside here in peace, experiencing the passage of time."
He Qingsong immediately pressed further, "If that is the case, why does the Sword Master of the Dao still hold onto the Heavenly Dao Discourse?"
Heavenly Dao Discourse?
Blood Prison Saint was taken aback—he hadn't expected that his master possessed such a thing.
In the distance, before Myriad Sword Mountain, where Jue Luo Sword Master was meditating and comprehending the way of the sword, his eyes suddenly opened. His gaze shot straight towards He Qingsong.
"This presence… could it be…" Jue Luo Sword Master frowned, feeling an ominous premonition.
Gu An chuckled and asked, "Do you want the Heavenly Dao Discourse?"
He Qingsong replied, "I do not desire it for myself. However, as long as it remains in Sword Master's hands, those blessed with great fate in this world will never obtain the True Immortal's Legacy. Your cultivation should not interfere with the natural order of heaven and earth."
Gu An gazed at him, his eyes seemingly piercing through He Qingsong's very soul. Yet, the man stood unflinching, meeting Gu An's gaze without fear.
Hearing that He Qingsong did not address Gu An with the respectful honorific "Senior," Blood Prison Saint's eyes gleamed coldly.
An Xin, Long Qing, and Chen Chuan also noticed the interaction and quickly approached. Other disciples too began to gather, realizing that someone had blocked their master's path and that the atmosphere felt tense. More and more people started closing in.
Long Qing moved the fastest, stopping in front of He Qingsong and sizing him up. "It's you! I've seen you before. Who are you, and how dare you show such disrespect to my master?"
He Qingsong did not respond. Instead, he remained silent, eyes fixed on Gu An, waiting for his answer.
Gu An, amused, asked, "So, you have come for the sake of all living beings?"
He Qingsong answered, "I have come for the order of heaven and earth. Over the past month, I have observed the disciples of Tai Xuan Sect and come to understand your nature. If you truly possess a heart of great benevolence and compassion, then you should release the Heavenly Dao Discourse, so that this world may welcome its savior sooner. This is the will of the Heavenly Dao."
Gu An raised his right hand, palm facing upward. Instantly, the Heavenly Dao Discourse appeared in his grasp.
He turned toward the distance, looking at Zhu Xi, and gestured for her to come over.
Zhu Xi hesitated for a moment but ultimately steeled herself and walked forward.
Following Gu An's gaze, He Qingsong's expression changed. His pupils constricted in shock.
"It's her…?" He Qingsong furrowed his brows, his heart filled with disbelief.
Zhu Xi reached Blood Prison Saint's side and respectfully saluted Gu An.
Gu An smiled. "Disciple, this man wants your master to hand over the Heavenly Dao Discourse. Tell me, should I give it to him?"
Zhu Xi had heard the conversation earlier. Although the Heavenly Dao Discourse belonged to her, she was more afraid of causing unnecessary trouble.
"All decisions lie with Master," Zhu Xi replied respectfully.
Gu An chuckled, then turned back to He Qingsong and asked with a smile, "Tell me, do you think my disciple is fit to be the savior of this world?"
He Qingsong's expression became unnatural. He did not answer immediately, seemingly wary of Zhu Xi.
Others quickly took notice of this strange reaction. Many disciples began scrutinizing Zhu Xi, realizing that she might be hiding a different identity. After all, her presence in Third Medicine Valley had never been particularly striking.
Gu An continued, "It seems even you cannot perceive the will of the Heavenly Dao."
With that, he casually tossed the Heavenly Dao Discourse to Zhu Xi. Instinctively, she reached out and caught it.
Gu An patted Blood Prison Saint's shoulder, signaling him to move forward.
This time, He Qingsong did not try to stop them. However, his gaze toward Zhu Xi grew increasingly complex, his face shifting between various emotions.
The surrounding disciples shifted their gazes back and forth between Zhu Xi and He Qingsong, their minds filled with curiosity and confusion.
Sensing the growing tension, Zhu Xi turned to leave.
"Your Highness, do you wish to restore the Fate That Stands Above All Beings?" He Qingsong suddenly asked, stopping her in her tracks.
Hearing these words, Jue Luo Sword Master seemed to realize something. His eyes widened in shock as he muttered to himself, "So… it's her…"