Chapter 112: Epic Battle, Enlightenment Within the Scene

Chapter 112: Epic Battle, Enlightenment Within the Scene

“I owe my guidance to the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path, so I must repay that debt. Besides, the Taixuan Sect has treated me well all these years!”

Han Ming replied firmly as he unslung the sword case from his back, ready for battle.

At that moment, three figures appeared around the Nightshade Ghost Mother. Each was a Void Transformation Stage Grandmaster, stationed at the Heavenly Mending Platform as guards.

The Nightshade Ghost Mother, at the Integration Stage, showed no fear. She shook her head lightly and muttered, “How troublesome. But this should be enough.”

Suddenly, her body dissolved into a wisp of ghostly energy and vanished into thin air.

The three Void Transformation cultivators immediately gave chase, disappearing into the distance outside the outer sect.

Han Ming didn’t pursue. Uncovering the Ghost Mother’s presence was already significant; chasing her was a matter for the Taixuan Sect.

Turning to the still-startled Gu An, Han Ming reassured him, “Don’t worry. That ghost has fled and likely won’t return.”

Gu An nodded but continued glancing around nervously, as if fearing other ghosts might be lurking.

The act must be convincing!

Han Ming walked over, clapped Gu An on the shoulder, and led him to where Zuo Lin stood. He then began recounting tales of his past exploits slaying demons and vanquishing evildoers.

Gu An inwardly cursed—he had overplayed his role. Now leaving was difficult, so he had no choice but to listen as Han Ming boasted endlessly.

Zuo Lin, happy to see Gu An, chatted with him in whispers, which only provoked Han Ming to growl at them in irritation.

The matter of the Nightshade Ghost Mother was merely an interlude.

Gu An had been waiting for the Lifespan Detection Alert, which would notify him if she harbored hostile intent. If such a warning appeared, the Ghost Mother wouldn’t have survived the day.

Fortunately, no such alert came, suggesting she didn’t suspect him. It was also possible that she bore no ill intentions. She had been in the Taixuan Sect for years without causing trouble, and during the chaos caused by the Huangquan Demon Emperor, she had remained uninvolved.

If the Nightshade Sect’s Nascent Profound Grandmaster was closing in, and the Ghost Mother meant harm, she could have wreaked havoc, coordinating with the grandmaster.

Perhaps the Ghost Mother had no ties to the Nightshade Sect after all?

As Gu An pretended to listen to Han Ming’s ramblings, these thoughts swirled in his mind.

Under the blue autumn sky, the land and mountains were draped in hues of withering yellow.

On the peaks stood numerous figures, including Lü Baitian and Ji Hantian. In total, there were thirty-two cultivators, all Integration Stage Grandmasters, each exuding an extraordinary aura.

Standing beside Lü Baitian, Ji Hantian asked softly, “Has the opponent surpassed the Integration Stage?”

Lü Baitian gazed into the distance, his expression grave. “It seems so. His aura is vastly beyond mine—boundless and overwhelming. It doesn’t feel like a recent breakthrough either.”

Nascent Profound Stage!

Ji Hantian’s expression darkened.

The other Taixuan Sect grandmasters also overheard Lü Baitian’s words. While solemn, none showed fear.

“What of it?” a short elder snorted coldly. “We have thirty-two Integration Stage cultivators. Together, we’re more than capable of holding our ground!”

“Exactly. What’s there to fear?”

“The Ji Family has more grandmasters on their way. The Nightshade Sect will die no matter how many they send.”

“Shame our Gu Family’s ancestor is elusive. If he were here, there’d be no risk to speak of.”

“Haha, our ancestors have their ways. You can’t summon them at will!”

“True. Even the Supreme Elders who reached the Nascent Profound Stage don’t stay here. They’re all chasing immortal opportunities, cherishing their remaining years.”

The grandmasters chatted among themselves. Most had spent years in secluded cultivation or on missions away from the sect. Today’s gathering was a rare reunion for them.

Lü Baitian retrieved a bottle of elixirs from his storage ring and swallowed its contents, his complexion improving as faint heat radiated from his body.

Other grandmasters prepared in their own ways—consuming elixirs, activating artifacts, and setting up formations. The atmosphere grew still, a tense calm before the storm.

“What a lineup of Integration Stage cultivators! Truly worthy of a sect that has stood for millennia.”

A light laugh echoed across the heavens, startling everyone.

The voice belonged to the Nightshade Sect’s purple-robed man, whose tone carried a crushing pressure.

Though his figure was yet unseen, his voice alone unsettled the Taixuan Sect grandmasters.

In the outer sect city, Gu An descended from the Heavenly Mending Platform and exhaled deeply.

Han Ming talks too damn much!

Had Gu An not claimed an urgent matter, he would still be stuck listening to Han Ming’s tedious tales. As someone who typically enjoyed conversation, even Gu An found it unbearable—Han Ming monopolized the dialogue, leaving him to agree repeatedly with boring content.

After leaving the platform, Gu An decided to head to an inn for some wine and a meal before observing the battle.

He had only taken a few steps when a deafening roar echoed from the distant horizon. Five breaths later, a violent gust swept through, causing the outer sect’s defensive array to shimmer into view.

Quickening his pace, Gu An hurried toward his usual inn, ordered wine and meat, and took a seat by the window.

Looking out toward the battlefield, his divine sense extended to lock onto the scene.

Thirty-two Integration Stage cultivators surrounded a single Nascent Profound Grandmaster, the clash monumental. Mountains and forests spanning a thousand li were reduced to rubble in mere moments.

Gu An marveled at the spectacle, a rare event that might only occur once in centuries.

Even if he were to intervene in such a battle, it would only be in scenarios where he could crush his opponent decisively.

The Nascent Profound Grandmaster was indeed formidable. The purple-robed man suppressed the thirty-two Integration Stage cultivators single-handedly with unparalleled dominance.

Scanning the battlefield’s fringes, Gu An noticed a familiar figure on a distant mountaintop—Su Han.

It was Su Han who had guided the purple-robed man to the Taixuan Sect.

Gu An wasn’t surprised but found Su Han’s decision to remain frustrating. That brat has no fear of being caught in the crossfire!

Having saved Su Han once before, Gu An had no intention of doing so again. He had already done his duty as a master. If Su Han were to die today, Gu An would not intervene.

Putting thoughts of Su Han aside, Gu An focused on the battle.

Moments later, the inn’s waiter served wine and dishes.

Just as Gu An took two sips, a voice interrupted him:

“You’re drinking here of all places?”

Shen Zhen!

Gu An ignored Shen Zhen. Recently, her overly exaggerated installments of

The Secrets of Taixuan

had made him a reluctant reader. He couldn’t help but sneak glances at her absurd tales—stories that tarnished the name Gu An.

Surely, others in the sect sharing his name must despise her.

Shen Zhen strode over and sat across from him, drawing attention despite her veiled face. Even with the veil, her presence was magnetic, causing the sparse patrons in the inn to steal glances her way.

“The great battle is about to begin. It’ll likely be fiercer than the last Righteous-Demonic War,” she said. “I plan to capture the fight in a painting. Why not join me? Lately, I’ve gained significant insights while reflecting on my past works. Who knows—maybe I’ll achieve enlightenment through my art!”

She had specifically sought out Gu An, chasing him all the way from the Third Medicine Valley to this inn.

Gu An replied dismissively, “No thanks. Too dangerous. With my cultivation level, going near that battlefield would turn me into dust.”

“No worries. I’ll protect you.”

“You? And what’s your cultivation?”

“I’m at the Core Formation Stage, at least!”

“A Core Formation cultivator on a battlefield like that? You’d last about as long as me—maybe just twitch a bit longer when the shockwaves hit.”

“You… Fine, fair point.”

Shen Zhen pouted, then poured herself a bowl of wine, her eyes drifting toward the distant horizon. She could feel the oppressive force of the ongoing battle, growing stronger and sending shivers down her spine.

What kind of fight could create such chaos?

Meanwhile, Gu An was savoring the spectacle through his divine sense. Lü Baitian stood out, clearly operating on a level above the other Integration Stage grandmasters. Ji Hantian wasn’t far behind—his Qilin Step had reached perfection, allowing him to close in on the purple-robed man.

But the battle had barely begun, and the Taixuan Sect side was already suffering injuries. Some had even lost their physical bodies, leaving only their primordial spirits to regroup at a distance.

The purple-robed man wielded several magical artifacts and carried a long spear brimming with immense power. He fought effortlessly, and Gu An could tell he wasn’t even using his full strength.

At this rate, the Taixuan Sect forces would be annihilated.

Sigh.

They can’t hold up—I’ll have to step in.

For the sake of his peaceful cultivation, Gu An couldn’t allow the Taixuan Sect to lose so many grandmasters. Unless an enemy emerged that even he couldn’t handle, running wasn’t an option.

Standing abruptly, Gu An said, “Miss Shen, I’m stepping out for a moment. Wait here for me. Don’t leave.”

Before Shen Zhen could respond, Gu An had already left the inn.

Shen Zhen wasn’t concerned. Her curiosity about the distant battle far outweighed any questions about Gu An’s abrupt departure.

Gu An walked briskly through several streets, ensuring no divine senses were tracking him. Activating the Infinite Free Step, he vanished from the outer sect with five quick strides.

Within moments, he entered the Xuantian Cave Dwelling, a hidden sanctuary.

Inside the wooden house, he grabbed the Heaven-Splitting Axe. Dark purple demonic energy began to seep from his body.

The Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body!

Lifting his right foot, he disappeared from the cave dwelling.

The next instant, he appeared atop a mountain a thousand li away.

Swinging the Heaven-Splitting Axe lightly, Gu An mentally reviewed its techniques.

Forget it.

To kill him, I won’t need any fancy techniques.

Determined, Gu An headed toward the battlefield, carrying the Heaven-Splitting Axe.

He planned to use the identity of the Xuantian Ancestor to strike down his foe. News of the Taixuan Sect's ancestor’s return would surely spread across the cultivation world, deterring any future enemies from challenging the sect lightly.

Meanwhile, in the Taicang Empire.

Boom!

Mountains crumbled as dust and debris filled the air.

Another Integration Stage grandmaster fell from the sky, his fate unknown.

High above, Ji Hantian and two other Ji Family grandmasters activated the Heavenly Dragon Suppressing Demons Aspect, momentarily restraining the purple-robed man. But their breaths were ragged, and their spiritual energy was nearly depleted.

Golden dragon shadows surged from all directions. The purple-robed man stood proudly in midair, a golden halo shining behind his head. The dazzling radiance repelled the dragon shadows as soon as they entered a ten-zhang radius, shattering them with an invisible force.

“The Heavenly Dragon Suppressing Demons Aspect—a truly remarkable divine ability,” the purple-robed man sneered. “Because you hail from the Ji Family, I’m willing to spare your lives. But if you persist in your folly, don’t blame me for disregarding your family’s reputation!”

His voice dripped with cold, murderous intent, a stark contrast to his earlier disdainful and mocking tone.