Chapter 292: The World Has Changed

Chapter 292 The World Has Changed

Hearing Gu An’s words, Jiang Qiong fell into silence.

She felt a bit lost. All this time, she had been making choices—escaping from Thousand Autumn Pavilion to Taixuan Sect, then from Taixuan Sect to Nine Nether Path. Later, she founded Gathering Flower Sect, yet now she had to flee to Grand Cold Demon Sect?

Had all her choices been wrong?

It seemed that no matter when she returned, Gu An remained unchanged.

Gu An could see her emotions. He also worried that he might have said too much. After all, she didn’t have the same confidence he did. How could he generalize things and judge her by his own experience?

“My temperament means I can’t just roam freely. You’re much stronger than me—you can venture out, but you must never fully trust anyone, especially the demonic sects,” Gu An said.

Jiang Qiong snapped out of her thoughts instantly.

What was she even thinking?

If she hadn’t escaped, she would have been dead by now!

Even compared to Gu An, her cultivation had been growing rapidly. This path may seem difficult and bitter, but her cultivation was proof of her achievements.

Right now, she was already at Nascent Soul Stage, Seventh Level!

Thinking of this, Jiang Qiong smiled, glared at Gu An, and said, “You keep rejecting me every time. Be careful—one day, I might not care about you anymore. When you run into trouble and think of me, it’ll be useless.”

Gu An said seriously, “As long as you live well, it doesn’t matter if you forget me. In this life, to meet and know each other is already a fate forged over a hundred lifetimes.”

Jiang Qiong was deeply moved by his words.

This brat really knows how to talk! If his cultivation were a little higher, how many talented young women would fall for him?

Of course, she felt that Gu An truly meant what he said, not just trying to please her.

After knowing him for so many years, she had never once heard Gu An ask her for anything.

Jiang Qiong looked at Gu An, wanting to tease him, but the words got stuck in her throat.

Because this time, things were really different.

She felt that Gu An underestimated the power of Grand Cold Demon Sect.

And why wouldn’t he? Years ago, the Skyfire Cataclysm that blotted out the sky was stopped by the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path, and the people on the continent never knew the horrors of what happened over the ocean—how many lives perished in agony.

And the one who caused it was merely a single cultivator from Grand Cold Demon Sect.

Now, a large force of Grand Cold Demon Sect cultivators was coming. Just thinking about it filled her with despair—there was no hope of victory.

Against a colossus like Grand Cold Demon Sect, who in this world could resist?

Jiang Qiong looked at Gu An’s gentle smile and suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.

You fool, just because it’s written in books doesn’t mean it’s true.

It’s true that, since ancient times, good has always triumphed over evil.

But when evil wins, it can simply call itself justice.

—

After returning, Jiang Qiong didn’t leave immediately but stayed in Eight Views Celestial Realm. Gu An visited her every other day, and each time, she would try different ways to persuade him—either by enticing him with stories of Grand Cold Demon Sect or by teaching him spells.

Gu An refused every time, but since he didn’t want to reveal his true thoughts, the two remained in a stalemate.

Half a month passed.

The weather remained hot.

Gu An descended from the attic, and just as he reached the lower floor, Ji Xuanyu blocked his way.

“Who is that woman?”

Ji Xuanyu stared at Gu An, her face calm, but her gaze sharp.

Gu An was puzzled. “What woman?”

“You have another woman’s scent on you.”

“So what if I do? What’s the big deal?”

Gu An replied indifferently.

Come on, explaining only makes things suspicious. The less he cared, the less important it seemed.

In reality, nothing had happened between him and Jiang Qiong, but he couldn’t exactly expose her. After all, she was about to defect to Grand Cold Demon Sect!

The reason he didn’t try to stop Jiang Qiong was that he wasn’t sure of Grand Cold Demon Sect’s true strength either.

If Grand Cold Demon Sect turned out to be so powerful that even he couldn’t handle them, then he’d have to run for it himself.

Ji Xuanyu looked at Gu An and said, “Have you noticed? The atmosphere in the mortal world has changed.”

Gu An looked around and said, “What’s changed? The ones sweeping the streets are still sweeping, the ones playing chess are still playing. Look, there’s even a mouse walking a cow.”

Ji Xuanyu followed his gaze and couldn’t help but shake her head and smile.

“Forget it. I suppose you’re right. Life is about cherishing the present.” She sighed softly before turning to leave, heading back to her room to continue cultivating.

Gu An didn’t stop her. Instead, he continued looking toward Medicine Valley.

What he saw was far more than what Ji Xuanyu could perceive.

—

Since Zhenren Bai Hong unleashed Skyfire, the entire ocean had been thrown into chaos, with countless people fleeing. This turmoil was now spreading to the continent—many noble families had started fleeing overseas or seeking refuge in Nine Nether Path.

At the same time, rumors of Grand Cold Demon Sect’s imminent invasion were being spread everywhere.

Gu An could tell at a glance—those rumors were deliberately spread by Grand Cold Demon Sect’s recruited henchmen, aiming to instill fear into the mortal world.

At Soul-Suppressing Pagoda near Severed Sea Rift, tens of thousands of Grand Cold Demon Sect cultivators had already gathered. The weakest among them was at Nirvana Stage, and there were already over a hundred Celestial Ascension Stage cultivators.

Most importantly, there were four Free Soaring Immortals!

Such power was overwhelming in this part of the mortal world—absolutely unstoppable.

And yet, Grand Cold Demon Sect was still sending more reinforcements!

Gu An didn’t act recklessly. He still didn’t know the full depth of Grand Cold Demon Sect’s power. But he wasn’t just waiting around either—he had already scanned Heavenly Great Realm with his divine sense, locating a safe place far from the mortal world.

If things truly became unbearable, he would take those he cared about and leave. Starting over wasn’t a big deal.

Of course, that was the worst-case scenario.

It all depended on whether Grand Cold Demon Sect had a Mystic Celestial Immortal!

So far, the strongest Free Soaring Immortal that had appeared was only at the fifth level.

Until a Mystic Celestial Immortal showed up, Gu An—at ninth-level Mystic Celestial Immortal Realm—wouldn’t panic.

—

An hour later.

He rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to Horizon Valley, with Yang Jian and Li Lingtian following behind.

Li Lingtian looked impatient—he clearly didn’t want to come.

Li Xuandao was already waiting in the valley.

By now, Li Lingtian had reached Core Formation Stage, Eighth Level, which made Li Xuandao nod in satisfaction and praise him for not neglecting his cultivation.

“I’ll say this now—I’m not going back. Father, you’re still energetic, so there’s no need for me to return and be the crown prince,” Li Lingtian said.

Li Xuandao chuckled and shook his head, but Gu An could tell his laughter was genuine.

Li Xuandao wanted to rule as emperor for eternity. For him, the crown prince was merely a threat. The only reason he had named Li Lingtian as the heir was to appease Empress Yang and the Yang Family.

But hearing Li Lingtian’s words, Gu An was a little surprised.

This kid actually has a bit of hidden wisdom.

Li Xuandao’s expression turned serious as he said, “You’re not returning to the palace. You’re going back to your mother’s family and leaving with them by sea. This is not up for discussion—your mother has given a strict order.”

Li Lingtian froze. He instinctively wanted to ask why, but he quickly figured it out himself.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the courtyard became heavy.

Li Xuandao turned to look at Gu An and asked, “Taixuan Sect has yet to make a decision. Do you want to leave with Lingtian?”

Gu An had already heard from Lü Baitian about Taixuan Sect’s internal debate. The Elder Hall had been discussing whether to evacuate, but they hesitated, afraid of offending the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path.

After all, the Sword Sovereign had already intervened once to protect them. If Taixuan Sect abandoned everything and ran, what would that make them?

The Sword Sovereign had definitely not made his move for personal gain—he had done it to save them, the ordinary cultivators.

Lü Baitian had even come to Gu An for advice, asking whether he thought they should retreat.

But this time, Gu An didn’t give an opinion.

He wanted Taixuan Sect to decide for itself.

If Taixuan Sect chose to flee, he wouldn’t go with them. He would find his own place to hide, and from that moment on, his ties to Taixuan Sect would be severed.

He owed Taixuan Sect nothing. In fact, it was Taixuan Sect that owed him.

Gu An answered, “I’ll stay and wait for Taixuan Sect’s decision. I can’t leave just yet.”

Hearing this, Li Lingtian immediately spoke up, “Father, then I can—”

“Shut up!”

Li Xuandao’s voice turned cold, his gaze becoming sharp.

For a brief moment, Li Lingtian actually felt fear.

Even Yang Jian and Blood Prison Great Saint were surprised, glancing at Li Xuandao with curiosity.

Why does this emperor seem far from ordinary?

“This time is different from before,” Li Xuandao said in a heavy tone. “If you leave with Taixuan Sect, you may never see your mother again. You must return to her!”

He took a deep breath, his voice growing colder.

He had been suppressing his emotions all this time, but in reality, his mood had been terrible.

After all his years of struggle, after finally securing his empire, he now had to watch it crumble because of this catastrophe. How could he not feel resentful?

But the reality was clear—the Taicang Empire was nowhere near strong enough to resist Grand Cold Demon Sect. There was no point in fighting back.

Gu An looked at Li Xuandao and asked, “Uncle, what about you?”

Li Lingtian also turned his gaze toward Li Xuandao, his eyes filled with anger.

Li Xuandao looked at the tea bowl in front of him, his voice soft but firm:

“All of you can leave—but I cannot. Even if I die, I will die with my people.”

There were too many citizens in the Taicang Empire, and it was impossible to evacuate them all. If he left, the empire would fall into chaos.

Li Lingtian was stunned.

His gaze toward Li Xuandao changed.

Even Yang Jian felt a newfound respect for this emperor who had once gifted him a divine weapon.

Blood Prison Great Saint, lying lazily on the ground, couldn’t help but stand up. He hadn't expected Li Xuandao to have such a commanding presence.

Gu An looked at Li Xuandao and asked, “Uncle, have you forgotten what you once pursued?”

Li Xuandao replied, “Without my people, what is a throne worth? A ruler who cannot protect his kingdom is already a failure. Even if I rebuild another empire, it would be meaningless.”

His words made everyone in the courtyard feel a deep sense of respect.

Luo Hun immediately knelt down and declared, “Your Majesty, I will follow you in life and death—without regret!”

Li Xuandao merely waved a hand, saying nothing more.

What he had said was the truth. But that didn’t mean he had given up.

He was gambling.

He was betting that the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path would be able to overturn Grand Cold Demon Sect.

He would never forget the past disasters when the Sword Sovereign made his move.

He would never forget that day when the sky was ablaze, threatening all life, yet countless green lights soared into the heavens, bringing hope.

He believed that the Sword Sovereign was different.

A difference that went beyond cultivation.

Even though the world was filled with powerful cultivators, he still felt that the Sword Sovereign stood apart from them all.

From the Sword Sovereign, he sensed an aura.

An aura that said—

With me here, none shall stand against me!

As long as the Sword Sovereign stands, the world will know peace.