In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An came downstairs and returned to the stone table, sitting with the disciples to watch the grand battles of the Heavenly Ranking Tournament.
The death of True Person Bi Luo had granted Gu An over seven thousand years of lifespan—a decent reward.
True Person Bi Luo had lived for over seventy thousand years, yet for more than ten thousand years, he hadn't advanced in even a minor realm. Desperate for a breakthrough, he sought any chance for immortality, and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had exploited this desire to lure him into action.
Gu An felt no sympathy for him. Everyone must bear responsibility for their choices.
His thoughts now turned to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.
Had they not plotted against him, he might have let them be. After all, delaying confrontation often played to his advantage.
The first battle of the Heavenly Ranking Tournament had yet to conclude. For high-level cultivators of the same realm, determining a winner was no easy task. Gu Xuan and Zhou Zu were both at the Profound Heart Realm, and their animosity was evident. The two gave it their all, making the match a spectacle for the audience.
"I heard that the Zhou Family withdrew all their disciples from Tai Xuan Sect, while the Gu Family did the opposite, offering full support to the sect. This duel might be fueled by pride as much as skill."
"With the Sword Master of the Dao around, how could the Zhou Family be so shortsighted?"
"Who knows what nonsense Cang Tian Sect fed them."
"It's said the Sword Master of the Dao hasn't acted against any sects other than Tai Xuan Sect. Maybe some factions hope to win him over."
"If duels at the Profound Heart Realm are already this intense, I can't imagine what battles at the Mahayana Realm will be like."
Discussions about the Heavenly Ranking Tournament echoed throughout Tai Xuan Sect, with debates over the Zhou Family and Tai Xuan Sect spreading to every corner of its cities.
Nearby, An Xin and Xiao Chuan were engrossed in a conversation about the same topic, while You Yingying from the Star Sea Sect derided the Zhou Family for their foolishness in trusting Cang Tian Sect's lies.
In her opinion, the Sword Master of the Dao stayed in Tai Xuan Sect purely out of personal preference. Even if all the resources of the Three Dynasties were combined, they couldn't possibly entice him.
Yang Jian, too, pondered why Tai Xuan Sect held such appeal for his master.
The first match concluded with Gu Xuan's victory, earning Tai Xuan Sect considerable acclaim. Even overseas cultivators were forced to reevaluate their opinions of the sect.
Though Tai Xuan Sect's foundation was still shallow, its destiny as a rising power seemed unstoppable.
The second match featured a duel between overseas cultivators. Gu An suspected Lü Baitian had manipulated the pairings, though it hardly mattered. The tournament's elimination format ensured only the final victory truly mattered. For cultivators vying for the top spot, every match was a step toward their goal. Complaints about rankings were inevitable, but no one dared make a spectacle of themselves before the world.
This second match showcased a duel at the Mahayana Realm. Grandiose displays of techniques and divine abilities made for an awe-inspiring spectacle. The base of the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array shimmered with radiant halos under their might.
The Mahayana-level battle lasted nearly two hours before a victor emerged, yet the audience remained captivated, their enthusiasm undimmed.
The tournament continued day and night, with battles even under the stars.
On the third day, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin sought out Gu An to join him in spectating. They had learned that Li Ya would compete that day and wanted to witness his abilities firsthand.
Ye Lan took a seat beside Gu An and reminisced about their days in Xuan Valley.
Looking back, neither Ye Lan nor Zhen Qin could have imagined this day. Both had once thought reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm would be their lifetime peak. Yet now, thanks to fortuitous encounters, both had achieved the Divine Transformation Realm.
Judging by their ages, they were once-in-a-century talents. Yet, they knew they weren't geniuses and maintained a humble respect for cultivation.
Gu An, too, found himself reminiscing. Helping those around him achieve better lives gave him a deep sense of fulfillment.
To him, cultivation was never about pursuing detachment; it was about staying true to oneself.
As noon approached, it was finally Li Ya's turn.
When Gu Zong announced Li Ya's name, a deafening cheer erupted throughout Tai Xuan Sect. The fame of the Mysterious Divine City had spread far and wide, and while Li Ya's talent might not rival An Hao's, his immortal treasures made no one dare underestimate him.
This time, Li Ya had clearly returned to help Tai Xuan Sect claim the tournament's top spot. How could the disciples not cheer?
Hearing the cheers from all directions, Gu An smiled.
A century ago, before leaving Xuan Valley, Li Ya had declared he would someday become renowned across the world. Today, he had fulfilled that ambition.
"I hope that a thousand years from now, you'll stand even higher and hear even more voices calling your name," Gu An thought as he gazed at the light screen showing Li Ya.
Different people had different personalities and pursuits, and they walked different paths. Gu An sought longevity and couldn't enjoy fame until he reached its pinnacle.
Li Ya was different. He longed for freedom and renown, a path entirely unlike Gu An's. Gu An saw nothing wrong with his choice—after all, not everyone had the ability to steal lifespan.
Without that ability, Gu An himself might have lived a life on the run, risking everything for opportunities.
He was curious to see how far Li Ya could go. Could he defy fate and reach Nirvana?
As of now, Li Ya's maximum lifespan had yet to increase.
In the Luo Heaven Pagoda Battle Array, Li Ya stood proudly, with the Mysterious Divine Spirit perched on his shoulder. The small, pitch-black creature bared its tiny teeth and claws at Li Ya's opponent, exuding a comical charm.
Li Ya's opponent was an elder in Daoist robes, a cultivator at the third layer of the Nirvana Realm. Despite his formidable cultivation, his expression was grave as he faced Li Ya.
Internally, he cursed Tai Xuan Sect for their shamelessness.
Fighting Li Ya would be a no-win situation. A victory would seem unsporting, given their disparity in cultivation. A loss, on the other hand, would be utterly humiliating.
Li Ya possessed the Immortal Dao Treasure, so why not pair him against a Loose Immortal?
Do they see me as a mere stepping stone?
The elder in Daoist robes took a deep breath, retrieved his magical artifact, and prepared for battle.
Without a word, Li Ya summoned the Mysterious Divine City. Emerging from within him, it rapidly expanded, transforming into a massive phantom that enveloped his body and steadily occupied the array's space.
The appearance of the Mysterious Divine City sparked a wave of uproar across Tai Xuan Sect.
Most cultivators were seeing the Mysterious Divine City for the first time, their excitement palpable.
With the Mysterious Divine City revealed, the battle's outcome was no longer in question.
While the duel was ostensibly between Li Ya and the Daoist elder, it was the Mysterious Divine Spirit that fought on Li Ya's behalf.
Even so, Li Ya, standing within the Mysterious Divine City, bore some of the pressure. In a battle against a Wandering Immortal, the spirit might not fall first—Li Ya himself could succumb to the immense strain.
Of course, there were no Wandering Immortals in this tournament; the only one had already been slain by Gu An.
As the battle unfolded, spectators marveled at the Mysterious Divine City's power. Endless ghostly figures emerged from within, their overwhelming presence both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
After Li Ya's victory, the Heavenly Ranking Tournament reached a fever pitch.
Gu An noticed Shen Zhen still standing outside his cave residence, sketching the Mysterious Divine City in meticulous detail.
A month passed in the blink of an eye. The tournament, which began with five hundred participants, was now down to thirty. Several contestants had advanced by default, and those remaining were at least of the Mahayana Realm—except for Li Ya.
Apart from Li Ya, the most talked-about participants were the Huangyi Immortal Lord and Yan Qitian from the Star Sea Sect.
Yan Qitian, a Loose Immortal at the ninth layer, was unmatched in cultivation except by the Huangyi Immortal Lord.
Late Night, Inner Gate City.
In a grand estate, Yan Qitian sat in meditation, recovering his energy.
Clad in a sleek black robe embroidered with dragons and tigers, he exuded an air of dominance.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed. Yan Qitian opened his eyes, startled to see a dark purple shadow materializing in his room. He immediately stood up, his expression wary.
"Who might you be?" Yan Qitian asked gravely.
The intruder had approached without triggering any of his defenses. The deliberate footsteps had been a courtesy; someone of this caliber wouldn't make a sound unless they chose to.
Scrutinizing the figure, Yan Qitian's face darkened as a possibility occurred to him.
"Could it be... the Sword Master of the Dao?"
Gu An's divine sense blanketed the estate, ensuring no one could spy on their conversation.
"I want to know," Gu An began, his tone calm, "what stance the Star Sea Sect holds toward the Seven Stars Spirit Realm."
Hearing this, Yan Qitian relaxed slightly. If the figure was willing to speak, then negotiations were possible.
After witnessing the Boundless Starry Sky Sword Formation, Yan Qitian harbored no illusions about challenging the Sword Master of the Dao. Even Wandering Immortals couldn't withstand a single strike—how could he hope to resist?
Still, he didn't answer immediately, opting to think carefully instead.
Gu An used a lifespan probe on him.
[Yan Qitian (Loose Immortal, Ninth Layer): 14,590/25,000/50,000]
With a lifespan ceiling of fifty thousand years, Yan Qitian indeed had the potential to ascend to Wandering Immortal.
Gu An mused silently, showing no impatience as he awaited a response. In truth, he already knew the Star Sea Sect and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm were at odds. His inquiry was more a formality, meant to gauge the Star Sea Sect's stance directly.
After a deep breath, Yan Qitian spoke. "To be frank, our enmity with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm spans tens of thousands of years. The animosity is irreconcilable. It won't be long before the Star Sea Sect launches a full-scale assault."
Piecing together recent events, Yan Qitian deduced that the Sword Master of the Dao had his own grievances with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.
After all, Tai Xuan Sect's Xuan Tianyi had returned from the Star Sea Sect, denouncing the Seven Stars Spirit Realm at every turn.
Gu An stated, "After the tournament ends, return to the Star Sea Sect and gather all available intelligence on the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, particularly on the cultivation levels of their members. This is a personal arrangement between you and me—not the Star Sea Sect. You are not to speak of this to anyone."
Yan Qitian's expression brightened with surprise.
The Sword Master of the Dao intended to target the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?
He quickly agreed. "No problem, Senior. There's no need for a transaction; I'll gather the information free of charge. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm is as much our enemy as it is yours."
"Good. But for now, keep this from the Star Sea Sect."
"Understood!"
Gu An vanished instantly.
Yan Qitian let out a sigh of relief. Facing the Sword Master of the Dao had been an overwhelming experience, as if he were walking on the edge of a blade.
"Could True Person Bi Luo have been sent by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?" Yan Qitian speculated. He'd heard of Bi Luo's reputation—a cautious figure who rarely provoked others. His challenge to the Sword Master of the Dao before the tournament was obviously orchestrated.