Chapter 91: Seven Hundred Thousand Years of Lifespan, Primordial Creatures

Hearing Shen Zhen's words, Gu An almost couldn't hold back his reaction. He quickly explained, "How could I? That was just to scare you. I would never write such a book."

He had to clarify the situation to avoid Shen Zhen tarnishing his reputation.

Shen Zhen stared at him as if trying to see through his intentions, but Gu An remained calm, knowing he had nothing to hide.

"Alright, I'll believe you then," Shen Zhen finally said softly, though her tone was different from before, making Gu An unsure of her true thoughts.

Gu An moved to the tea table and started preparing tea.

After pouring the tea and placing the cup in front of Shen Zhen, she spoke, "Actually, the reason I came to see you is for another matter."

"Go ahead," Gu An responded, sitting across from her.

Shen Zhen took a deep breath and asked, "I heard that the old man in the Medicine Valley, Tian Lao, is actually the current Sect Master Lü Baitian. Is that true?"

Gu An saw no reason to hide the truth, so he nodded.

Since the major battle half a year ago, neither Gu Yu nor Ji Hantian had come back to the Medicine Valley. Perhaps they had been dealt with by Lü Baitian.

Gu Yu was clearly part of Lü Baitian's faction, but Ji Hantian, on the other hand, had cursed Lü Baitian in the Third Medicine Valley and even expressed his desire to become the Sect Master.

"I need your help introducing me to Sect Master Lü Baitian. This request is made on my own behalf, not on behalf of Daotian Sect," Shen Zhen said, her gaze fixed on Gu An.

Gu An frowned, showing hesitation.

Shen Zhen pulled out a wooden box from her storage pouch, saying, "This is a sixth-tier spiritual tree, the Purple Mist Bamboo. A single segment can form an entire bamboo forest. If planted on the edge of the Medicine Valley, it will automatically form a Purple Mist Formation. The bamboo shoots are also top-grade medicinal materials, highly valuable."

"What are you doing? We're friends. Is there really a need for this kind of formality?" Gu An responded sternly, placing the wooden box into his own storage pouch. Then, in a serious tone, he added, "If you have something you need, just say so. I will naturally help you, but this should not happen again."

Shen Zhen was taken aback for a moment before letting out a light laugh, covering her mouth.

Her laughter made her eyes sparkle.

Gu An thought to himself that she had very beautiful eyes. His joke seemed to have dispelled the awkward atmosphere between them, and their conversation returned to its usual ease.

They chatted for a long time before Shen Zhen finally left.

Gu An then began wandering around the Medicine Valley, searching for a suitable place to plant the Purple Mist Bamboo.

He eventually decided to plant the bamboo on the southern edge of the mountainous area and assigned Tang Yu to keep watch over the site.

But what he was truly anticipating was Lü Baitian's promised visit.

It wasn't for Shen Zhen's sake but rather for his own. He was still thinking about Lü Baitian's offer.

Lü Baitian had said that Gu An could come to him with any request!

At the moment, Gu An didn't need a fourth Medicine Valley but rather higher-tier medicinal seeds. He wanted to gradually replace the lower-tier ones. If he could cultivate high-tier plants across hundreds of miles, his lifespan income would skyrocket.

Once his lifespan reached a million years, he would unlock new abilities, and then he could fully upgrade himself!

Day by day, time passed.

Finally, at the beginning of autumn, Lü Baitian arrived.

He was dressed in a black robe adorned with dragon patterns, his black hair tied neatly under a jade crown. His face was stern, a far cry from the elderly figure of Tian Lao. Now, he exuded the full dignity of a Sect Master.

As soon as they met, Gu An immediately used his Lifespan Investigation on Lü Baitian.

[Lü Baitian (Body Fusion Realm, ninth level): 755/3150/3200]

Impressive! He's truly reached the ninth level of the Body Fusion Realm!

Moreover, his lifespan was nearing its limit, with little room for further growth.

Gu An suddenly recalled that Chu Xian had once performed a sacrificial formation outside the sect. Could that have been prepared for Lü Baitian?

No, that didn't make sense. Lü Baitian had eradicated the Chu family. It couldn't have been him.

As Gu An pondered this, he warmly greeted Lü Baitian.

The two entered Gu An's house to converse.

Lü Baitian pulled out four booklets from his storage pouch, placing them on the table. "Following your suggestion, I established the Supreme Council. These are the profiles of the council members. Take a look."

Upon hearing this, Gu An picked up one of the booklets. Inside, he found not only the names and portraits of the council members but also detailed information, including their life histories.

He flipped through the pages quickly, appearing casual, but in truth, he memorized every detail.

The last booklet was about the Sword Master of the Dao. It only listed his title and records of his battles. In the cultivation world, he was known as the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal, and within the Tai Xuan Sect, he was revered as the Sword Master of the Dao.

The council members were the Sword Master of the Dao, Gu Gua, Ji Hengshi, and Zhou Yu!

Incredible! All three are from the most powerful families of the Tai Cang Dynasty!

And all of them were at the Body Fusion Realm!

Gu An had yet to meet these three personally.

So far, he had encountered six Body Fusion cultivators: Lü Baitian, Ji Hantian, Gu Gua, Ji Hengshi, Zhou Yu, and Lei Zhen, and this still wasn't the full extent of Tai Xuan Sect's strength.

Gu An remembered that Tai Xuan Sect's strongest disciple was its First True Disciple, who had left the Tai Cang Dynasty some time ago.

He wondered if Tai Xuan Sect had any hidden Grand Elders.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Gu An asked, "Sect Master, is it appropriate for me to see such information?"

Lü Baitian chuckled. "If you ever decide to write a book similar to Investiture of the Gods, you can include the Tai Xuan Sect. After all, the Tai Xuan Immortal Lord in that story isn't quite accurate—it lacks depth."

"I'll consider it, but let me finish writing Tai Xuan Immortal Lord first," Gu An replied. Tai Xuan Immortal Lord was already over five million words long, and with Gu An only publishing one volume a year—sometimes even two years between releases—it would be a long time before it was finished.

He wasn't in a rush since Tai Xuan Immortal Lord brought in substantial spirit stone revenue, far more than Investiture of the Gods, and he wasn't ready to give that up just yet.

Lü Baitian smiled but didn't press the issue.

Gu An took the opportunity to mention Shen Zhen's request. Lü Baitian agreed immediately, without a moment's hesitation.

Gu An then asked, "Sect Master, does your previous offer still stand?"

"What's this? Have you changed your mind and decided to become Sect Master?" Lü Baitian asked with a pleased expression.

"No, no," Gu An quickly clarified. "You said I could come to you with any request. I'd like more high-tier medicinal plants. I'm even willing to cultivate them for you. Once they mature, I'll send them to you. I want to expand my knowledge of the planting arts and study the world's rarest plants."

"The planting arts..." Lü Baitian's mouth twitched, his gaze growing strange.

In the end, Lü Baitian agreed, saying he would send someone with more seeds in the coming days.

After that, Gu An stood up and went to find Shen Zhen, bringing her to meet Lü Baitian.

Once they were introduced, Gu An tactfully left them to their conversation.

This time, Lü Baitian set up a barrier, preventing even Gu An from eavesdropping.

The two talked for an hour before Lü Baitian left. Shen Zhen remained, standing beside Gu An, watching Lü Baitian as he departed.

Shen Zhen turned to Gu An and smiled. "Aren't you curious about what we discussed?"

Gu An shook his head. "I don't dare ask, and I don't want to know. It's better to stay out of trouble."

"I gave him some information in exchange for Tai Xuan Sect's most powerful music-based technique. Once I've mastered it, I'll show you," Shen Zhen said with a grin before leaping into the air, heading back to her own abode.

Gu An didn't dwell on it. Shen Zhen's affairs were none of his business as long as they didn't threaten him.

He was more focused on anticipating Lü Baitian's delivery of high-tier medicinal seeds.

Five days later, Lü Baitian's envoy arrived, handing Gu An a storage pouch. When Gu An scanned it with his divine sense, he was astonished.

The seeds were of incredibly high quality, with tens of thousands of them inside. There was also a booklet and a letter.

Back in his residence, Gu An opened the letter. Lü Baitian explained that the seeds were from his private collection and not taken from Tai Xuan Sect's resources. If Gu An could grow them well, he could keep half the profits. If not, then he would have to become Lü Baitian's disciple.

After reading this, Gu An was left speechless.

Why was Lü Baitian so insistent on taking him as a disciple?

Could it be that he was simply too charming?

...

Five years passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Tai Xuan Sect remained peaceful, and Gu An's life returned to a quiet routine. Ye Lan, Shen Zhen, Li Ya, Jiang Qiong, and Gu Yu were all focused on their cultivation and rarely visited him.

Though the war between the righteous and demonic sects had ended quickly, its impact was far-reaching.

One sunny day, Gu An used the teleportation array to return to Xuan Valley, feeling quite content. He was even humming a tune.

He had recently calculated that this year's lifespan earnings could exceed one hundred thousand years, and his total lifespan had already surpassed seven hundred thousand years.

He was getting closer to reaching a million years of lifespan and couldn't wait to become stronger.

As soon as he arrived at Xuan Valley, he sensed Li Ya's presence. Li Ya was upstairs in the pavilion, having tea with Yang Ni.

Li Ya hadn't concealed his presence, so Gu An made his way directly to the pavilion.

Upon entering, Li Ya immediately greeted him. "Brother Gu, I'm planning to leave Tai Xuan Sect and head to the Northern Sea Mountains for some training. I won't return until I've reached the Nascent Soul stage."

Gu An couldn't help but ask, "What's in the Northern Sea Mountains?"

Li Ya smiled. "The Northern Sea Mountains are north of the Tai Cang Dynasty, covering an area as vast as the entire dynasty itself. It's surrounded by four great dynasties and is home to many monsters, making it a prime location for cultivators to seek adventure and opportunities. But it's also very dangerous."

Hearing this, Gu An suddenly thought that the Northern Sea Mountains might be the perfect place for his next breakthrough.

Advancing beyond the ninth level of the Body Fusion Realm would surely cause a massive commotion, and it would be best to stay far from Tai Xuan Sect when that time came.

Yang Ni chimed in, "You're not planning to search for the Northern Sea Kun Fish, are you?"

Li Ya scratched his head. "You caught me. Word has it that a Northern Sea Kun Fish was spotted in the Northern Sea Mountains two years ago. I figured I'd take a look. Besides, I need to shake off those people my father keeps sending after me."

Gu An sat down and asked curiously, "What's a Northern Sea Kun Fish?"

Yang Ni shot him a glance. "Do you remember the Swallowing Heaven Netherbird from before? In this world, there exist Primordial Creatures—beasts unlike ordinary monsters. They are massive beyond belief, and their transformation into human form is far more difficult than that of typical demons. Due to their immense size, they are worshipped as mountain gods or sea gods in various regions, their movements mysterious."

Gu An became even more intrigued and began asking about the other Primordial Creatures in the world.

Yang Ni's brief descriptions filled his imagination with wonder.

"Alright, I should get going. Recently, a prodigy named An Hao emerged in the sect. He's only twenty-two and already preparing for Core Formation—it's unbelievable. I need to work harder, or I'll be left behind," Li Ya said as he stood up.

Gu An had to agree. An Hao's cultivation speed was astonishing.

It was clear that Lü Baitian held An Hao in high regard and had invested many resources into his training.

As Gu An pondered this, Li Ya leaped out the window and disappeared.

Still can't break that bad habit!

Gu An turned to Yang Ni and asked, "Li Ya's gone. What about you?"

"I'm not leaving. I'll stay here and help you tend to the plants and flowers. It's far more enjoyable than all that fighting and killing," Yang Ni replied with a smile.