Chapter 165: Eight Million Years of Lifespan!

Chapter 165: Eight Million Years of Lifespan!

As the shadowy figures carrying the coffin approached, Ye Lan furrowed her brows. The other disciples did the same—none of them could see through the aura of these figures, which sent a chill down their spines.

These newcomers were none other than the

Thirteen Fiends of the Nine Nether Path

. Under the darkness of night, they appeared like thirteen ghostly apparitions, terrifying beyond words.

“We are disciples of the Taixuan Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall! What do you intend to do?”

A male disciple called out sternly. Within the Taicang Empire, being a disciple of the Taixuan Sect gave them confidence to stand their ground.

However, the

Thirteen Fiends of the Nine Nether Path

remained unfazed, continuing to advance. The Law Enforcement Hall disciples were forced to retreat.

“Enough. Don’t scare them. Let them leave quickly.”

A weak voice sounded from within the coffin.

Zhen Qin’s eyes widened as she blurted out, “Senior Brother Su?”

Su Han?!

The Law Enforcement Hall disciples gasped in shock and hastily backed away. Even Ye Lan’s expression turned grave.

Su Han’s name was infamous across the cultivation world—not for heroism, but for his fearsome reputation.

“So it’s your junior sister. No wonder you want to let them go. Fine, get lost then.” A shadowy figure sneered.

Zhen Qin wanted to say more, but Ye Lan stopped her. Without further delay, she led the disciples away without another word.

As they departed, Zhen Qin kept glancing back at the coffin, but she couldn’t see through it.

Just like that, Ye Lan and the others left swiftly.

The

Thirteen Fiends of the Nine Nether Path

placed the coffin down and removed the lid.

Su Han sat up, his long hair disheveled, one hand gripping the edge of the coffin.

Meanwhile, the

Thirteen Fiends

spread out, setting up formations in all directions.

Su Han watched as Ye Lan and Zhen Qin disappeared into the distance. His gaze was complicated, his thoughts unreadable.

Atop a tree in the forest, Gu An stood watching from afar. He held the Qinghong Sword in his arms, his face hidden behind a mask. Only the ghostly glow in his eyes betrayed his presence.

After observing for a long while, Gu An finally turned and disappeared into the dense forest.

With spring’s arrival, everything in Taixuan Sect seemed full of life. The sky was blue, dotted with white clouds, and the scenery was picturesque.

Inside the

Third Medicine Valley

, Gu An was picking medicinal herbs while An Xin followed behind, carrying a bamboo basket.

Lately, Gu An had been venturing out daily, saving people and slaying demons. Although his lifespan didn’t increase rapidly, he still gained several thousand years each day.

Of course, he wasn’t just seeking out demons—he was also experiencing the myriad facets of the mortal world.

“Valley Master, have you heard any news about my brother?” An Xin suddenly asked. She had been holding back this question for a long time.

She knew that Gu An was acquainted with An Hao, especially since he was close with An Hao’s master, Lü Baitian.

Gu An continued picking herbs as he replied, “Last I heard, he was in Tianwei. Supposedly, he’s set to marry a princess of Tianwei, though the wedding date hasn’t been decided yet. He’s currently in seclusion there.”

This wasn’t a secret—it had already spread within the inner sect.

As Taixuan Sect’s top genius, An Hao’s actions always stirred up rumors.

The sect had even sent elders to discuss the matter, as they fully supported this marriage alliance with the Tianwei royal family.

Hearing this, An Xin let out a sigh of relief and smiled. “What about the princess? Is she talented and beautiful?”

“I don’t know about her talents,” Gu An said casually. “But I heard she’s quite beautiful. You know your brother—if she weren’t good-looking, would he even be interested?”

An Xin chuckled at that, her smile widening. She then began reminiscing about An Hao’s childhood, sharing stories while Gu An listened patiently, never once showing any signs of impatience.

He was genuinely happy for An Hao.

Even though he himself had never been married, the thought of his disciple getting married filled him with joy.

After gathering the herbs, the two made their way back to the pavilion complex.

Gu An had An Xin store the herbs in the warehouse before heading upstairs to read and relax.

By dusk, he left the

Third Medicine Valley

once again to resume his vigilante work.

Time flew by, and Gu An’s ninetieth birthday arrived.

Over this period, he had slain more than 12,300 demons, accumulating nearly 400,000 years of additional lifespan.

His total lifespan had now exceeded eight million years.

Across the land, countless cultivators were also fighting demons and rescuing civilians. Though Gu An had yet to make a name for himself, the thousands he had saved would never forget him. Sooner or later, his deeds would spread far and wide.

The Eight Dynasties continued warring, pushing towards unification, while the cultivation world struggled against the growing tide of demons.

Yet no matter how many demons they killed, the number of demons in the Eight Dynasties’ territory only seemed to grow.

The Demon Cataclysm wasn’t a massive, simultaneous invasion as some had imagined. Instead, it was an insidious infiltration.

Perhaps when the Demon Ancestor was revived, everything would change.

Disguised, Gu An walked along a mountain path.

Along the way, he saw numerous refugees—thin, dirty, and staggering forward like the walking dead.

Even as they passed him, they didn’t turn their heads. It was as if nothing in the world could interest them anymore.

Gu An had seen this many times before.

Most of these refugees had lost their homes to demons, forcing them to flee toward other cities.

But demons weren’t their only threat—humans could be just as cruel.

Banditry was rampant, with criminals preying on the weak.

Gu An had personally executed several men who had been assaulting women.

Yet today, he didn’t spare a glance at the refugees. Instead, he pondered a question:

If he didn’t have the ability to steal lifespan, how would he survive in this world?

From sacred sects raising demons to plague the land, to commoners suffering at the hands of both demons and wicked men, the entire world seemed broken.

Though he preferred to cultivate in peace, he also wanted to help where he could—as long as it didn’t put him in danger.

As he walked, he continued thinking.

Then, he sensed a powerful aura from the south.

Snapping out of his thoughts, he sent his divine sense to investigate.

From the Ninth Level of the Nirvana Stage, his divine sense swept across mountains, rivers, and vast landscapes until it reached an endless blue sea.

On the distant horizon, he saw a radiant white light.

Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a staircase of white lotuses floating in the air, constantly extending forward while the lotuses behind vanished.

A lone Daoist walked upon the lotus steps, as if an immortal had descended into the mortal realm.

A Grand Ascension cultivator!

Gu An finally felt a sense of relief.

If he had to fight the Demon Cataclysm alone, he really might have considered fleeing with his people.

One person alone couldn’t save the world.

If he drew too much attention by single-handedly changing the tide, powerful forces from the

Seven Star Spirit Realm

and beyond would start investigating him.

No matter how well he hid, he couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t find out his secret.

Having someone share the burden meant he could make his moves more discreetly.

Smiling faintly, Gu An quickened his pace and resumed his demon-hunting.

He didn’t kill every demon he saw—only those that attacked villages and civilians.

At his current rate, gaining hundreds of thousands of years annually, he would break through in less than three years.

And he was very eager to reach the Second Realm of the Immortal Path.

…