Chapter 55: The Taixuan Immortal Lord, A Change in Leadership

Seeing Luo Hun’s awkward expression, Gu An suddenly understood. So this guy had a taste for such things but never admitted it!

Gu An patted Luo Hun on the shoulder and laughed. “Brother Luo, I never thought you shared my tastes. Honestly, I prefer stories like Adventures of the Green Hero over the constant battles and sect struggles in Romance of the Gods. There's something refreshing about simple interactions and exploring nature—it truly tempers the Dao heart!”

Hearing this, Luo Hun’s embarrassment faded, replaced by a smile.

The two began discussing Adventures of the Green Hero in earnest, their bond growing closer. However, Luo Hun remained reserved, avoiding discussions of the romantic entanglements in the story and sticking to tales of exotic places and unusual events.

His pretense of seriousness amused Gu An immensely. The days at Horizon Valley wouldn’t be so dull anymore!

Three years flew by in the blink of an eye.

It was midsummer again. Gu An, now 38 years old, eagerly awaited the first harvest from the Third Medicine Valley. The higher-grade herbs planted in Horizon Valley still required more time.

One morning, Gu An led the disciples in their morning exercises at Xuan Valley. Though Zhen Qin, Su Han, and Ye Yan had moved to the Third Medicine Valley, three new labor disciples had arrived, keeping the valley lively.

As Gu An stretched, he sensed something and smiled.

Xiao Chuan noticed his expression. “Senior Brother, what’s so funny?”

“Nothing. Keep practicing,” Gu An replied casually, and Xiao Chuan dropped the subject.

After practice ended, Gu An dismissed the disciples and walked toward his pavilion. Just as he reached the steps, the sound of something slicing through the air made him turn.

It was Li Ya!

Years had passed, but Li Ya’s attire remained the same—a black robe. Yet his demeanor had changed, and a strand of white hair at his temple added a touch of weariness.

Li Ya’s cold face melted into a smile as he spotted Gu An, as though an iceberg had suddenly thawed.

His cultivation had reached Foundation Establishment Stage Level Nine. Gu An could feel that he was now stronger than Ji Lin had been back then and likely close to forming his Nascent Soul.

Upon landing, Li Ya opened his arms and hugged Gu An, whose body stiffened awkwardly.

“Not bad, you’ve reached Foundation Establishment! Looks like you’ve been working hard,” Li Ya said, gripping Gu An’s shoulders with a satisfied smile.

Gu An subtly freed himself from the “demonic grip” and replied with a grin, “You’re finally back. How’ve things been?”

Li Ya shook his head. “Not smoothly, but I made some gains from misfortune. Let’s talk inside.”

Gu An nodded and led him upstairs.

An hour later, the two sat in the pavilion, drinking as Li Ya recounted his experiences over the years. Gu An couldn’t help but marvel.

“That could make a great story,” he remarked.

Li Ya chuckled. “True. Though I’ve escaped death countless times, it’s made me who I am today.”

Li Ya had ventured south in search of a Transformation Stage grandmaster’s legacy, battling countless geniuses along the way. After barely emerging victorious, the grandmaster attempted to possess his body. Though Li Ya didn’t detail how he survived, Gu An suspected it had to do with the soul fragment inside him.

After escaping that ordeal, Li Ya spent three years in seclusion, refining his newfound sword intent—a transformation that reshaped his entire being. �

On his journey back from Ji Prefecture, Li Ya faced further challenges, including rescuing a young woman oppressed by a local noble family. Tragically, he later heard that the woman and her family had been killed. Returning in anger, he annihilated the noble clan, sparking widespread rumors.

The local authorities pursued him briefly before mysteriously dropping the case.

Li Ya spoke of the events with an air of detachment, his tone cold.

Gu An poured him another cup of wine. Suddenly, Li Ya asked, “Junior Brother Gu, what’s the purpose of cultivation? Is it just the pursuit of immortality? Throughout history, who has truly achieved eternal life?”

Pouring himself a drink, Gu An replied, “I don’t know what cultivators are supposed to strive for. I just know that life should be lived with ease. If something makes you happy, then do it.

“I spend my days planting herbs. Many would say it’s a waste of time, but I find it fulfilling. The herbs I grow benefit the sect. Isn’t that meaningful?”

Li Ya wasn’t being pretentious. After all he’d been through, confusion was inevitable.

Li Ya fell silent, pondering Gu An’s words for half an hour. Gu An didn’t disturb him, instead pulling out a copy of Adventures of the Green Hero to read.

When Li Ya finally spoke, his eyes were clear. “The great truths aren’t always found in grand halls. Thank you, Junior Brother Gu. I think I know what I must do.”

Standing, he retrieved a small jade bottle from his storage pouch. “This contains pills refined from thousand-year spirit marrow to temper the bones. Use no more than two per year. I need to return and prepare for my Nascent Soul.”

Without waiting for Gu An to respond, Li Ya vaulted out the window.

Gu An sighed. “Why does he always have to climb out the window?”

He looked at the jade bottle on the table and shook his head. “Why does everyone feel the need to give me gifts?”

That evening, Gu An arrived at the Third Medicine Valley. Descending from the teleportation platform, his attention was drawn to a small pavilion in the distance. Zhen Qin, Su Han, Ye Yan, and Zhou Tongyou were sitting together, chatting cheerfully.

Gu An approached.

Zhou Tongyou, mid-story, noticed Gu An and smiled. The others followed his gaze and quickly stood.

Reaching the pavilion, Gu An asked, exasperated, “You’re here again? Haven’t you emptied your storage pouch yet?”

Over the past three years, Zhou Tongyou had visited at least ten times, always bearing gifts—herbs, pills, and magical artifacts. During their last spar, Gu An had only managed to defeat him after ten moves, barely holding back laughter at his own performance.

Zhou Tongyou grinned. “Relax, I’m not here to spar this time. I’m here to say goodbye. After all these years, you’re the only real friend I’ve made at Taixuan Sect. I value you greatly.”

Friend?

Gu An didn’t know how to respond.

Ye Yan, meanwhile, looked at Zhou Tongyou with reluctance. Over the years, Zhou Tongyou had become a mentor of sorts, guiding his cultivation.

“What do you mean, you’ve been here for years? Are you not a Taixuan Sect disciple?” Zhen Qin asked, wide-eyed.

Su Han and Ye Yan exchanged nervous glances.

Was he a demonic spy?

Laughing proudly, Zhou Tongyou said, “I was trying to keep a low profile to avoid stressing you out. But since I’m leaving, I’ll admit it—I’m Zhou Tongyou of the Jueshan Sect!”

Zhen Qin, Su Han, and Ye Yan froze. Zhou Tongyou basked in their stunned reactions, turning his gaze to Gu An, eager to see his shock.

Gu An’s face did change, much to Zhou Tongyou’s delight.

But Zhen Qin suddenly asked, “Is your name supposed to be famous?”

Zhou Tongyou stiffened, his smug expression faltering.

Fearing Zhou Tongyou might stay longer if provoked, Gu An said, “It is. He dominated all the young disciples of Taixuan Sect. My respects, truly.”

Hearing this, Zhou Tongyou relaxed. Following Gu An’s lead, the disciples gasped in feigned awe.

“My goodness, I must be dreaming!”

“Unbelievable!”

“Is it really you?”

Zhou Tongyou’s expression twitched. For some reason, their praise felt oddly grating.

Taking a deep breath, he said, “Taixuan Sect is about to undergo great changes. Be cautious. Until we meet again, farewell.”

Leaping into the air, he transformed into a streak of light, vanishing over the horizon.

The disciples stared after him, awestruck by his skill.

Gu An waved dismissively. “Get back to training. Reach Foundation Establishment soon, or you won’t even qualify to see him again.”

The three bowed and dispersed.

Gu An remained behind, pondering Zhou Tongyou’s parting words.

Taixuan Sect is about to undergo great changes?

He hoped it wouldn’t affect his valleys.

Returning to his pavilion, he locked the door and sat at his desk, pulling out pen and paper. The final volume of Romance of the Gods had been submitted to the Library Hall. Now it was time for a new book.

Gu An decided to tone down the hype around Pan An, crafting a story loosely based on the Gu family’s history.

The following spring, Gu An delivered his manuscript, The Taixuan Immortal Lord, to the Library Hall. Elder Liu Chang was so captivated that he spent hours discussing it with Gu An.

Leaving

the hall, Gu An overheard disciples gossiping. Apparently, Sect Master Lu Baitian had succumbed to qi deviation and died, with Elder Chu Tianqi taking his place.

Startled, Gu An quickly left the outer sect city for the Third Medicine Valley.

Arriving at the valley, he found Gu Yu waiting with an elderly man in tattered robes. The man’s hunched frame and gaunt appearance gave him a feeble air as he surveyed the gardens.

Seeing Gu An approach, Gu Yu smiled. “You’re back! This is my father’s distant relative, Elder Tian. His spiritual roots are average, and he’s stuck in Qi Refinement. From now on, he’ll be helping out here. Feel free to assign him tasks.”

Gu An turned to the old man, his expression shifting subtly.

[Lu Baitian (Qi Refinement Stage Level Six): 742/850/3200]

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