Chapter 200: Do You Know My Cultivation Level?

Gu An suppressed the mix of emotions within him and asked, "This thing really breaks all societal norms. Are you sure you want to go through with it? It'll probably stir up even more commotion than your writing."

The fact was, Shen Zhen's Tai Xuan Secrets had always been a banned creation within the Tai Xuan Sect. If she weren't the Holy Maiden of Dao Tian Sect, Gu An suspected she would have been apprehended long ago.

Shen Zhen retorted, "I'm not killing anyone or setting fires. What, is the Tai Xuan Sect going to throw me in jail?"

"But you're still a woman. If this comes to light, how will the world perceive you? What about your father and the Dao Tian Sect?" Gu An said earnestly. Shen Zhen, at her core, wasn't a bad person. Nor did she have reckless relationships. Every time Gu An used his divine sense to scan the world, he would also glance at her. When she wasn't visiting him, she was usually cultivating or engrossed in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting within her cave abode.

Shen Zhen stared at him intently. "You don't like what I'm doing?"

Gu An replied, "I'm just worried about you."

Shen Zhen couldn't help but smile. She then pulled out another jade slip and handed it to Gu An.

After hesitating for a moment, Gu An decided to use his divine sense to inspect it.

His eyebrows raised as he delved in.

This wasn't the animated illusion from before but instead a detailed recording of a cultivation technique. The jade slip depicted Shen Zhen herself practicing a divine ability, complete with mental notes and mantras.

After a while, Gu An withdrew his divine sense and looked at Shen Zhen.

Shen Zhen snorted, "This is my real creation. Isn't it better for passing on knowledge?"

Gu An nodded, saying, "It's quite good. It gives cultivators a clearer direction when training."

With that, he placed both jade slips on the table.

Shen Zhen began recounting her recent adventures with Lu Lingjun. They had ventured into an ancient great cultivator's hidden cave, braving countless traps and challenges before obtaining its inheritance and treasures.

Gu An listened attentively, much like a patron at a storytelling pavilion. He occasionally exclaimed in amazement, satisfying Shen Zhen's desire to share.

She enjoyed discussing these experiences with Gu An. Talking to others might make her a target, but confiding in Gu An brought praise without risk.

After a long while, Shen Zhen stood up and said, "I'll leave this jade slip of divine abilities with you."

Before Gu An could refuse, she headed for the door, quickly disappearing down the stairs.

Gu An glanced at the jade slips on the table and wanted to call her back. Why didn't she take the other one with her?

Forget it!

It was better for him to keep it safe and prevent it from leading others astray.

With his past-life memories, Gu An had already faced such mental challenges before. His willpower in this regard far surpassed that of others in the cultivation world. He felt obligated to bear this burden for the sake of others' spiritual safety.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhen, now downstairs, joined the others in teasing the Blood Prison Saint, much to his irritation.

As night fell, Gu An brought the Blood Prison Saint back to Xuan Valley. Deep into the night, he quietly made his way to Tianhuang Mountain and entered Nian Chu Cave.

Tian Yao'er was in the midst of cultivation. Nearby, two cat demons were playfully frolicking. When they noticed Gu An's arrival, they immediately stopped and crouched low to the ground. Though they hadn't yet taken human form, they were intelligent and well-disciplined under Tian Yao'er's guidance, showing deep reverence for Gu An.

Gu An nodded at them before sitting at the stone table, lost in thought about creating his own cave heaven.

With his current cultivation level, opening an independent small world wasn't difficult. The challenge lay in enriching it with sufficient spiritual energy.

It wasn't possible to create a spiritual energy-rich world in one go.

His next steps would involve collecting high-grade heavenly treasures to prepare for his cave heaven. For now, he was considering where to hide its entrance.

Though the small world of a cave heaven would exist in a separate dimension, its entrance in the real world would be fixed and immovable.

After much deliberation, Gu An decided that the continent itself would be the best location for his cave heaven.

This continent was vast, with relatively few immortal realms, making it an ideal place for him to gradually develop.

At that moment, Tian Yao'er approached and asked what was on his mind.

Gu An didn't hide anything, knowing that she would eventually be managing the cave heaven for him.

To reap longevity through cultivation, Gu An needed to personally extract power with his own abilities. Puppets or clones couldn't be relied upon.

His clones, created through the Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body, weren't true independent entities but rather manifestations of his power without separate consciousness.

Gu An had little interest in using clones, preferring to experience life and growth firsthand.

Tian Yao'er was startled by his revelation.

Had her master already reached the level of creating small worlds?

She couldn't help but wonder whether the Tianhuang Demon Mother could accomplish such a feat.

After cultivating for so long, she was no fool. The more she observed her master, the more certain she became that he surpassed the Demon Mother in power. Gu An's claim of being weaker than the Demon Mother was likely just a tactic to motivate her cultivation.

Rather than feeling dissatisfied, Tian Yao'er was inspired. She believed her own revenge was a task she had to undertake personally.

"In that case, why not place it in Tianhuang Mountain?" she suggested seriously. "It's said that Tianhuang Mountain was once home to phoenixes. Every few thousand years, an outpouring of spiritual energy from the depths of the earth produces countless rare treasures."

Gu An nodded in agreement.

Gu An's divine sense extended underground as he began creating a small independent world.

The cave heaven couldn't be too close to Nian Chu Cave to avoid affecting the growth of the medicinal herbs. It was best to position it near a major earth vein to absorb underground spiritual energy.

Half an hour later, Gu An had successfully carved out his cave heaven. Unlike other great cultivators who needed to transport soil and water to fill their small worlds, his mastery of the Five Elements allowed him to directly manifest the essentials with his mana. The only thing left to add was vegetation, which he would transplant later.

For now, he wasn't in a hurry. He would let the cave heaven accumulate spiritual energy first.

As the New Year arrived, Tai Xuan Sect was bustling with activities to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. The outer sect cities were lively with festivities.

Gu An rode the Blood Prison Saint into the outer sect city. His entrance drew numerous glances, but no one was particularly surprised. Nowadays, many disciples in the city also had mounts, and majestic demonic birds often circled in the skies above.

The Blood Prison Saint appeared intrigued by the outer sect city, his gaze darting around, observing everything.

"Brother Gu, it's been a while."

A lighthearted voice interrupted his thoughts. Gu An turned to see Emperor Xie approaching.

Emperor Xie, who had first met Gu An and Zuo Lin upon his arrival, had always kept his true identity hidden. Now, only the upper echelons of Tai Xuan Sect knew that he was the son of the Demon Emperor.

Gu An dismounted, clasping his hands in greeting with a smile.

Emperor Xie glanced at the Blood Prison Saint and remarked, "Brother Gu, your mount's bloodline doesn't seem ordinary."

Though the Blood Prison Saint's cultivation was relatively low, Emperor Xie could sense a trace of extraordinariness in him—though only just.

Gu An smiled. "Not bad. I like him quite a bit, so I bring him everywhere. His only downside is that he's a bit slow."

Emperor Xie laughed and nodded, then invited Gu An for a drink. Gu An agreed and led the Blood Prison Saint as they followed Emperor Xie.

The two chatted amiably along the way, their rapport evident.

After the calamity of the demon invasion, Emperor Xie cherished his friendship with Zuo Lin and Gu An even more.

To him, humans and demons didn't need to be eternal enemies. They could coexist peacefully—just as he and Gu An did.

The pair found an inn. Gu An left the Blood Prison Saint by the entrance, instructing the innkeeper to keep an eye on him.

They chose a table by the window on the second floor.

"The World's First Sword Dao Tournament is about to begin. I'm planning to participate. You must come to watch," Emperor Xie said with a smile.

Gu An agreed immediately and wished him success.

"I've heard the sect plans to recruit demon disciples. What are your thoughts on this, Brother Gu?" Emperor Xie asked curiously.

When Emperor Xie learned of this initiative, he was delighted but also worried. He understood the nature of some demons all too well. If they harmed anyone in Tai Xuan Sect, it could exacerbate tensions. After all, the scars of the demon calamity were still fresh, and many human cultivators harbored deep resentment toward demons.

"This is a good thing. Didn't some demons help Tai Xuan Sect resist the demon invasion? Although the Demon Ancestor has fallen, there's still the threat of the Fierce Demon. That's an even greater calamity. Humans and demons should unite to face it," Gu An replied casually.

Emperor Xie studied his expression but couldn't discern his true feelings. Nonetheless, Gu An's words brought him comfort.

The two began drinking, their conversation flowing freely. Two jars of wine were emptied in no time.

Half an hour later, a commotion from downstairs, including the sound of a cow's bellow and the innkeeper's voice, interrupted their conversation.

"I should go check," Gu An said, standing up.

Emperor Xie nodded and followed him downstairs.

In front of the inn, a crowd of disciples had gathered.

The innkeeper stood protectively in front of the Blood Prison Saint, nervously smiling at a man in luxurious robes. "Sir, I truly have no authority over this cow. If you want it, you'll need to speak with its owner upstairs."

The finely dressed man, flanked by four imposing attendants, looked down on the innkeeper and said, "Go fetch him."

Before the innkeeper could respond, Gu An's voice rang out from behind. "Apologies, my friend, but this cow isn't for sale."

Gu An approached, patting the Blood Prison Saint on the head while casting a quick lifespan investigation on the man—a habit he had developed to assess others.

[Zhou Ye (Divine Transformation Realm, Fifth Layer): 402/880/1200]

A Zhou family member?

Gu An pondered silently.

Ever since the Ji Family's departure from Tai Xuan Sect, the Zhou Family had also been gradually withdrawing, reportedly aligning with Cang Tian Sect.

Zhou Ye looked at Gu An and offered, "Two superior-grade spirit stones. I'll take it."

The surrounding disciples erupted in whispers.

Was a first-tier demon beast really worth that price?

Hearing the murmurs, the Blood Prison Saint fumed, his bull-like eyes practically spewing fire.

He had grudgingly accepted serving as Gu An's mount, acknowledging his inferior skills.

But who did this boy think he was?

From the man's aura, the Blood Prison Saint deduced he was merely a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator.

Gu An frowned, shaking his head in apparent difficulty.

Suddenly, Emperor Xie stepped forward, placing himself between Gu An and Zhou Ye. "My friend already said the cow isn't for sale. Stop pestering him."

Zhou Ye eyed Emperor Xie and sneered, "Do you know my cultivation level?"

"What? Just because you're at the fifth layer of Divine Transformation Realm, you think you can act like you own the place?" Emperor Xie retorted coldly.

The crowd buzzed again, while the innkeeper shrank back in fear. Gu An mirrored their shock with a carefully crafted expression of astonishment.

Zhou Ye's brows furrowed. "Who are you?"

Emperor Xie replied calmly, "Emperor Xie. Profound Heart Realm, Third Layer."

Boom!

The street was in an uproar.

Zhou Ye and his four attendants instinctively stepped back.

Emperor Xie glanced apologetically at Gu An.

Meanwhile, the Blood Prison Saint, a formidable expert in the Mahayana Realm, felt utterly stifled. Was Profound Heart Realm so awe-inspiring?

Gu An, who had reached the ninth layer of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, feigned nervousness, his hand repeatedly stroking the Blood Prison Saint's head.