Chapter 132: The Mountain God and a Fateful Encounter

Chapter 132: The Mountain God and a Fateful Encounter

Gu An listened to Xuanmiao Zhenren’s murmuring in silence.

Searching for fortune—only to end up at my doorstep?

His gaze fell upon the compass in Xuanmiao Zhenren’s hands, intrigued by its ability to locate blessings and opportunities. It was far more effective than his own White Spirit Mouse, which had been slacking off ever since the Sevenfold Purity Tree appeared. The little thing now spent its days napping, having completely abandoned treasure-hunting.

—

Deep in the forest, mist swirled between the trees.

Xuanmiao Zhenren spotted wandering spirits drifting through the air, but he paid them no heed.

Whoosh—!

A powerful gust of wind swept through, rustling his robes and causing him to narrow his eyes.

"This is sacred ground. Mortals shall not pass."

A mysterious, ethereal voice echoed through the night, forcing him to halt.

Xuanmiao Zhenren looked around, yet saw no one. Even with his divine sense, he couldn't detect a single trace of life.

But he was certain he hadn’t hallucinated the voice.

Clasping his hands in a respectful bow, he declared,

"I am Li Xuanmiao, a direct disciple of the Taiqing Lineage from Three Pure Mountains of the Shen Tang Dynasty."

Li?

Li Xuanmiao… Li Xuandao…

There was no way they weren’t related.

Gu An simply didn’t believe in coincidences.

The name Three Pure also reminded him of ancient Daoist myths from his past life—the Three Pure Ones of Chinese mythology.

Could there be a connection?

Probably not—otherwise, the Romance of the Gods he had written in this world would have already caused trouble.

Maybe the Dao of the Three Pure Ones echoes across all heavens, manifesting in different worlds in its own unique way?

Gu An’s thoughts raced, but he remained silent, not responding immediately.

Xuanmiao Zhenren continued,

"I have come seeking fortune. May I request an audience with the Mountain God?"

He spoke with certainty, as though the existence of a Mountain God was something he took for granted.

Gu An found this interesting.

Could it be that Mountain Gods truly existed in this world, making Xuanmiao Zhenren's request seem natural?

For the first time, Gu An considered befriending him—learning more about the world through him.

"Why do you wish to meet the Mountain God?"

Gu An’s voice rang out again, its source impossible to trace.

Xuanmiao Zhenren smiled and replied,

"Immortal beings and divine spirits are elusive… If I can witness one with my own eyes, it would be a blessing beyond treasures. Of course… I also have a small selfish request."

If he could meet a Mountain God, he would be more excited than if he had stumbled upon a rare artifact.

Despite his Transformation Stage cultivation, he couldn’t sense the other party at all. That could only mean one thing—this being’s realm far surpassed his own.

Even if it wasn’t a Mountain God, it had to be a Grandmaster-level cultivator of unimaginable power.

And since the entity hadn’t attacked him outright, it was likely not an evil being—which meant it was worth befriending, no matter what it was.

Whoosh!

Another gust of wind swept through, sending leaves fluttering.

Xuanmiao Zhenren instinctively raised his hand to shield himself.

When he lowered his arm, his pupils contracted sharply—his face filled with shock.

On a large tree ahead, a tiny white-robed figure stood.

A three-inch-tall man!

So small that he could be held in one hand!

He wore a white robe and a theatrical mask, making him appear utterly mysterious.

—

This tiny figure was Gu An.

He had used the Great Size Manipulation Divine Art to shrink himself.

This technique was an innate ability awakened through his Primordial Wishful Art, a skill he had cultivated through years of Qi refinement.

—

Xuanmiao Zhenren immediately knelt on one knee, raising his hands in reverence.

"Li Xuanmiao pays respects to the Mountain God!"

He was certain this wasn’t an illusion.

He had never before seen a technique that could shrink a person like this. The most he had encountered were spells that trapped people in small spaces, but not something that physically reduced one’s size.

With no prior reference, his mind naturally accepted the most reasonable conclusion—this being was indeed a divine Mountain God.

—

Gu An leaped along the branches, finally perching at the tree’s edge to look down at Xuanmiao Zhenren.

"What is that treasure in your hands?"

He casually threw out a lifespan scan.

【Xuanmiao Zhenren (Transformation Stage, Fifth Level): 198/900/4500】

4,500 years max?

That didn’t quite match his impressive capabilities.

The inheritance from Three Pure Mountains must be incredibly strong!

Xuanmiao Zhenren quickly answered,

"This is a sacred artifact passed down through generations in Three Pure Mountains. By keeping it close, it synchronizes with my fate and guides me toward my destined fortunes, accelerating my growth!"

He smiled as he spoke—this was fate!

He was meant to meet the Mountain God!

Gu An, on the other hand, was thinking—

Could Xuantian Cave Dwelling have originally belonged to Xuanmiao Zhenren?

Quite possibly.

If not for his own cheat-like abilities, he wouldn’t have come to North Sea Mountain Range for his tribulation, wouldn’t have broken open Xuantian Cave Dwelling, and it would have naturally fallen into Xuanmiao Zhenren’s hands instead.

So, in a way, he had taken someone else’s fated opportunity.

—

Xuanmiao Zhenren then added,

"Mountain God, I have recently taken in a disciple, but he is afflicted with a deadly poison beyond my ability to cure. Might I ask for your assistance?"

He had come seeking fortune, but unexpectedly stumbled upon a divine being.

And since gods were meant to bestow blessings, surely one could cure a mere mortal affliction?

—

Gu An didn’t reply immediately.

Instead, he rubbed his chin with one hand, resting the other on his elbow, pretending to contemplate deeply.

Xuanmiao Zhenren immediately understood the hint.

He flipped his hand, revealing a Sixth-Grade Earth Spirit Lingzhi, and offered it with both hands.

"This is a Sixth-Grade Earth Spirit Lingzhi. May the Mountain God accept it."

Gu An casually levitated the lingzhi into his grasp.

Given that it was larger than his entire shrunken body, the sight of him holding it looked quite comical.

But Xuanmiao Zhenren didn’t laugh—he found it profoundly mystical.

Divine beings should never be judged by mortal logic!

—

"Bring your disciple here tomorrow night."

Gu An finally spoke.

Xuanmiao Zhenren bowed gratefully, and when he looked up again, Gu An had already vanished.

Seeing him leave without hesitation, Gu An found himself somewhat pleased.

At least for now, Xuanmiao Zhenren didn’t seem like the scheming, power-hungry type.

Gu An had already examined his disciple, a young fox demon, and had identified the poison within him.

It was something he could cure.

—

That night, Gu An returned to Eight Views Celestial Realm and began refining a pill.

He took out a Nightshade Flower, placed it in his pill furnace, and ignited a Taiqing Flame beneath it.

—

The next night.

Xuanmiao Zhenren arrived with his fox demon disciple, returning to the mist-shrouded forest.

After kneeling in ritual respect, a thumb-sized pill rolled toward them.

"Have him swallow it."

Gu An’s voice drifted through the mist.

Upon hearing Gu An's words, Xuanmiao Zhenren's expression darkened. He clenched his teeth and cursed,

"The Nightshade Sect has plagued the world for a thousand years—they deserve utter annihilation!"

Gu An crouched on a tree branch, watching them.

"Your disciple is saved. Now, it's time for you to leave," he said flatly.

"Remember—tell no one about me. If word spreads, I will come looking for you."

Xuanmiao Zhenren looked up.

"Mountain God… would you be willing to teach me an unrivaled technique? I am willing to offer everything I have in exchange!"

Being defeated by An Hao had become a mental scar for him.

It was the real reason he had delayed returning—he couldn't bear to face his fellow disciples in Three Pure Mountains.

—

"Unrivaled?"

Gu An scoffed lazily.

"If you had the potential to be the strongest, you wouldn't be here begging me."

"And since you aren't the strongest, everything you own is worthless in comparison to the power you seek."

—

Xuanmiao Zhenren's face twitched, but his heart was ignited with hope.

The Mountain God hadn’t outright refused!

What he had intended as a mere test had unexpectedly yielded a glimmer of possibility.

It made sense—throughout history, no Three Pure Mountains disciple had ever encountered an earthly immortal deity.

This was an unparalleled opportunity!

Xuanmiao Zhenren bowed deeply.

"Mountain God, please enlighten me! As long as it does not go against the principles of Three Pure Mountains, I swear to fulfill any requirement!"

—

Gu An crossed his arms, pretending to be deep in thought.

After a long pause, he suddenly snapped his fingers.

"I’ve got it. That divine ability you used to summon a Profound Mind Realm cultivator—give me that in exchange."

—

Xuanmiao Zhenren's face drastically changed.

His respect for the Mountain God deepened!

This being had actually seen through the realm of his backer—from an inconceivable distance!

Such divine insight was utterly terrifying!

Without hesitation, he replied,

"This divine ability is called Gate of Divine Summoning. It can only be used to summon others, and it does not harm mortals. I am willing to trade it for your teaching."

As he spoke, he retrieved a scroll from his sleeve, holding it up with both hands.

Gu An beckoned with a hand, and the scroll flew into his grasp.

After a quick scan with his divine sense, he confirmed its authenticity and then flicked his wrist.

A book fell before Xuanmiao Zhenren.

Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body!

—

Xuanmiao Zhenren’s eyes lit up the moment he saw the title.

Gu An had no hesitation in passing it down—he would eventually cultivate this technique himself.

Besides, it originated from Thousand Autumn Pavilion.

He was curious to see how many years it would take for Xuanmiao Zhenren to fully master it.

—

As he flipped through the pages, Xuanmiao Zhenren’s hands trembled.

Then, he snapped the book shut, storing it away with great care.

He suddenly reached into his storage ring, pulling out seven wooden boxes and laying them before the Mountain God.

"This technique is far superior to the Gate of Divine Summoning—I cannot accept it unfairly."

"These are seeds of Seventh-Grade Natural Treasures—gifts from various dynasties."

"I had intended to use them to cultivate my cave dwelling, but now, I offer them to you!"

—

Hmm?

He knows how to behave!

Gu An’s opinion of him improved.

He flicked his fingers, drawing the seven wooden boxes onto a tree branch beside him.

"You may leave now."

Xuanmiao Zhenren immediately bowed deeply, instructing his fox demon disciple to do the same before swiftly departing without hesitation.

—

Gu An watched their figures fade into the distance and muttered to himself,

"Now that… is a fated entanglement."

But he wasn’t referring to himself and Xuanmiao Zhenren.

He meant Xuanmiao Zhenren and his fox demon disciple.

—

On impulse, he threw out another lifespan scan.

【Yellow Springs Fox Demon (Fourth Level Qi Refining Stage): 14/999/14000】

—

A 14,000-year lifespan?!

The exact same maximum lifespan as the Huangquan Demon Emperor!

And they both bore the name Huangquan—this couldn’t be a coincidence.

Gu An suddenly suspected—

Could this fox demon actually be the future Huangquan Demon Emperor?!