Chapter 259: Rebirth

What Gu An saw and heard on Xunxian Island was merely a snapshot of the greater turmoil in the seas. While the Great Rift of the Broken Sea had unleashed a deadly fiend, it also contained opportunities that lured countless cultivators and monsters alike.

However, as long as these events didn't affect Gu An directly, he had no intention of involving himself.

Even if acquaintances of his ventured into the rift, he would not stop them. Everyone had the right to make their own choices. In previous continental calamities, many people he knew had chosen to intervene as well.

Opportunities were always seized through one's own determination and effort.

While the oceans churned and roared, Gu An, now 155 years old, continued his tranquil life of cultivating and farming.

From time to time, he would use his divine sense to observe the Great Rift of the Broken Sea or glance beyond the heavens.

The rift's influence was immense, and Gu An noticed an increasing number of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals returning from the void.

Conflicts on the seas grew fiercer. The moment someone emerged from the rift with a treasure, a storm of bloodshed inevitably followed.

Moreover, Gu An had noticed an unusual phenomenon that added even more uncertainty to this calamity, deepening his wariness of the rift.

As autumn drew to a close, Gu An was chatting with Ye Lan by the wooden fence, watching disciples sweep up fallen leaves.

"Unifying the world is a good thing. As for whether to follow the imperial court northward, it's up to you," Gu An remarked.

The Tai Cang Dynasty was on the verge of unifying the world. Li Xuandao had invited Tai Xuan Sect to accompany the northern expedition to meet with the Great Jiang Dynasty. The purpose was twofold: to lend support and to establish a foothold in the former demon lands.

In the years before the Heavenly Ranking Tournament, Tai Xuan Sect's northern expedition plans were repeatedly sabotaged, costing the sect several disciples. Now, with no factions daring to oppose Tai Xuan Sect, preparations were underway to establish a branch sect in the north.

Ye Lan was considering joining this branch sect. Doing so would elevate her status and position, which was highly appealing to her.

If she chose not to go, her current cultivation level would likely only allow her to serve as an inner sect elder, which offered much less authority.

Ye Lan hesitated. "I do want to go, but I'm worried that we won't have much time to see each other after I leave."

Gu An smiled. "That will only be temporary. Once the teleportation array is operational, you'll be able to visit anytime."

Though Ye Lan had feelings for him, her life didn't revolve entirely around Gu An. He wanted her to lead a fulfilling and exciting life.

In the grand journey of life, romantic love was only a small part, especially in the world of cultivation, where love's significance diminished further.

Love, at its core, was rooted in desire. Cultivating both mind and body allowed one to master physical desires, but spiritual aspirations often grew stronger as a result.

In her early years, Ye Lan had thrived as an Outer Sect Steward, driven by an inner thirst for power. Though her affection for Gu An outweighed this ambition, it left her torn.

Gu An's words struck a chord with her, and she nodded in agreement. With a faint, teasing smile, she said, "If I leave, won't you find life more carefree?"

Gu An replied with mock exasperation, "What nonsense. I'm just as carefree with you around!"

Ye Lan laughed and gave him a playful punch.

Gu An reminded her not to slack off in her cultivation after joining the branch sect.

The two reminisced about the past as they chatted.

As evening approached, Ye Lan departed.

Gu An returned to his desk and was just about to open a book when he suddenly sensed something. His divine sense swept toward the Great Jiang Dynasty.

The dormant Innate Dao Rune had finally made a move!

It merged with the unborn child of a woman from a branch family of the Ji Clan, surprising Gu An.

Was this a form of reincarnation?

Having reached the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal Realm, Gu An could now observe the intricate workings of yin and yang. However, the mysteries of reincarnation remained beyond his reach. Souls departed for unknown heights within seven days of death, leaving no trace. Those that failed to ascend became vengeful spirits, shunned by the laws of heaven and earth. To endure, these spirits preyed on the living, absorbing their vitality to strengthen their ghostly essence.

After Ji Xiaoyu's death, her soul had been hidden within the Innate Dao Rune, avoiding the fate of a vengeful spirit.

Under Gu An's watchful eye, the Dao Rune fully merged with the woman's essence, disappearing without a trace.

Would Ji Xiaoyu retain her past life's memories in this new incarnation?

Gu An recalled how precocious Ji Xiaoyu had been as a child, far from the innocence typical of her age. Perhaps she had always carried her past memories but had hidden them well.

After observing for a while, Gu An withdrew his attention.

The moonlight was cool, and a gentle evening breeze rustled through the open window, tousling Gu An's hair.

Thus began another decade.

Ten years later, the world had changed dramatically. The three dynasties had unified under the Tai Cang Dynasty, ushering in a true era of peace for the common folk.

The Tai Cang Dynasty focused on development, exploring the seas and harvesting northern resources. With a surge in resources, all sectors within the dynasty thrived.

The cultivation world mirrored this prosperity. New sects emerged constantly, and some, like the Gathering Flower Sect, experienced rapid growth. Within just ten years, the sect had risen to become one of the Tai Cang Dynasty's Nine Great Sects, with Tai Xuan Sect and Cang Tian Sect taking the top two spots.

Tai Xuan Sect's northern branch was now complete, with a steady flow of news exciting the sect's disciples. The sect was clearly on the rise.

Even disciples of the Medicine Valley benefited from improved conditions. Shorter stays in the valley indicated that Tai Xuan Sect was providing its disciples with more cultivation resources, accelerating their progress from mundane chores to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

On this day Gu An had just returned from Xuan Valley to the Third Medicine Valley when his attention was drawn to a commotion outside the pavilion clusters. Crowds had gathered to watch a game of Go.

Some time ago, Go had become highly popular in Tai Xuan Sect, largely due to Nine-Finger Divine Lord's enthusiasm for the game. His passion for playing in the Third Medicine Valley turned the area into a hub for Go enthusiasts. Now, with his apparent cultivation at the Mahayana Realm, even the Elders' Hall had to accommodate his whims.

Last month, Lü Baitian had asked Gu An whether they should host a Go tournament, but Gu An had refused.

The game was still confined to Tai Xuan Sect and wasn't yet widespread enough for a formal competition.

Moreover, Nine-Finger Divine Lord had proposed holding the event in the Third Medicine Valley, which Gu An flatly opposed—such gatherings would disrupt his herb farming.

With only a brief glance at the game, Gu An headed toward his pavilion.

These days, Nine-Finger Divine Lord rarely challenged Gu An, likely preoccupied with improving his own skills.

Today's opponent was a cultivator at the Body Fusion Realm, a sect elder whose stagnating cultivation had led to a newfound addiction to Go.

Suddenly, Gu An sensed something intriguing. With a smile, he called for the Blood Prison Saint and mounted his steed, heading toward the outer sect city.

Riding Foundation Establishment-level mounts had become increasingly common within Tai Xuan Sect. A few hours in the Third Medicine Valley would reveal disciples flying on their mounts overhead.

"Master, why the sudden interest in visiting the outer sect city?" the Blood Prison Saint asked curiously.

"Lu Lingjun has returned," Gu An replied casually. "She's bringing people to the Heaven Mending Platform—likely to test the Heaven-Sundering Axe."

The Blood Prison Saint's eyes lit up with curiosity.

He was well aware that Lu Lingjun had established the Ascension Sect. The people accompanying her might well be fellow ascenders.

As a fellow ascender, the Blood Prison Saint was naturally intrigued.

Flying swiftly, they soon arrived at the Heaven Mending Platform.

Compared to a decade ago, the platform was livelier than ever. Cultivators of varying levels gathered there, from Qi Refining to Loose Immortals.

Yes, Loose Immortals—several of them, to be precise.

They had come from overseas. After first expressing their respect for the Sword Master of Dao, they ascended the Heaven Mending Platform openly to study the Sword Master's sword intent.

Years prior, Gu An had quietly enhanced the sword intent contained within the characters for "Righteousness" carved into the platform.

Dismounting, Gu An walked onto the platform while the Blood Prison Saint stayed behind. Mounts and spirit pets were prohibited on the platform to avoid offending the Sword Master.

By now, a crowd had gathered around the Heaven-Sundering Axe. Word had spread that an overseas Loose Immortal had come to challenge it.

In Tai Xuan Sect, Loose Immortals were no longer a mysterious concept. Many understood that the title denoted a realm—representing immortals and, for now, the highest level of cultivation within general knowledge.

"Why 'for now'?"

Because the rapid pace of development in the cultivation world left room for the possibility of higher realms emerging within the next decade.

Still, the Mahayana Realm remained a symbol of reverence and awe.

Zuo Yijian stood by the Heaven-Sundering Axe, engrossed in Investiture of the Gods. Though his eyes were on the book, his mind was clearly elsewhere.

The overseas Loose Immortal was someone Lu Lingjun had brought along—a master she had acknowledged while traversing the seas.

Curious, Gu An pushed through the crowd and activated his Lifespan Investigation on the newcomer.

[Xi Ling Sacred Mother (Loose Immortal Realm, Level 8): 18,907 / 24,000 / 150,000]

A maximum lifespan of 150,000 years—this meant she had the potential to reach the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal!

Even in the sea region around Xunxian Island, Wandering Immortals were exalted figures rarely encountered.

Dressed in purple robes, the Xi Ling Sacred Mother stood tall with white hair coiled beneath an ornate bejeweled crown. A green silk sash draped over her arm, exuding an overwhelming aura of majesty and power.

Though her face appeared youthful and beautiful, her commanding presence made it easy to overlook her physical features.

The Xi Ling Sacred Mother approached the Heaven-Sundering Axe and studied it intently.

Her journey to this land had been inspired by the Sword Master of Dao.

This was also part of the reason she had accepted Lu Lingjun as her disciple.

Overseas cultivators were more familiar with the fall of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and the Sword Master of Dao was widely regarded as the most formidable cultivator they had ever heard of. How could she not be intrigued?

Zuo Yijian grew impatient with her hesitation. "Hurry up! There are others waiting. Once the time's up, not even the master of a holy land gets another turn!"

It didn't matter if she was a Loose Immortal or something even greater. In Tai Xuan Sect, everyone followed the rules.

The Xi Ling Sacred Mother wasn't offended. Raising her right hand, her fair palm extended to grasp the Heaven-Sundering Axe.

She immediately felt that the weight came not from the axe itself but from the boundless power sealed within it.

After two attempts to lift it, she let go and walked away.

This left the surrounding onlookers disappointed. They hadn't expected her to succeed but had hoped for a more dramatic display—perhaps to see the exalted immortal show a moment of struggle.

Lu Lingjun exchanged a few words with the Xi Ling Sacred Mother before preparing to leave. Her gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Gu An.

"Gu An, what brings you here?" Lu Lingjun transmitted her voice directly to him, waving as she spoke.