When the Azure Mountainâs Shadow inverted over the firmament, disciples flew out from every peak, all gazing up in awe at the spectacular scene.
Gu An didnât stop. With the Blood Prison Grand Sage and An Xin in tow, he flew toward Ding Tian Peak.
As An Xin sensed the vast auras of the mountains and cultivators along the way, she was inwardly astonished. This Renjian Peak really is unfathomable⊠Looks like what Senior Lu said wasnât an exaggeration.
The oppressive might from the Azure Mountain Shadow lingered for a long time, enveloping all of Renjian Peak and stirring up heated discussion among the disciples.
Arriving at the base of Ding Tian Peak, Gu An flew directly toward the summit.
Only then did An Xin truly grasp just how massive and tall these mountains were. Just thinking that such a towering peak belonged to her master, she couldnât help but look at Gu An with pure admiration.
Soon, they reached the summit. Just as they landed, Zhu Xinglan, Ding Tian Peakâs senior disciple, appeared to welcome them and bowed to Gu An.
âWhatâs going on?â Gu An asked.
Zhu Xinglan replied, âThe main peakâs Fu Shenxiu is in the process of subduing an Immortal Dao Supreme Treasure. Heâs the next in line to become the master of the main peak and is the most gifted disciple Renjian Peak has seen in a million years.â
His tone was complicated when he spoke of Fu Shenxiu.
Gu An looked up at the Azure Mountain Shadow in the sky and smiled. âQuite the commotion.â
A dignified Free Soaring Immortal trying to subdue an Immortal Dao Supreme Treasureâand still struggling?
That treasure must be something special.
Zhu Xinglan explained, âThis Supreme Treasure was retrieved from beyond the stars by the main peak. Without the suppression of the Holy Courtâs fortune, subduing its spirit is bound to cause massive upheaval. Someone even failed before.â
Gu An nodded and then asked about recent matters on Ding Tian Peak. Learning there was nothing needing his attention, he made his way to the herb garden.
An Xin and the Blood Prison Grand Sage followed behind him, with Zhu Xinglan accompanying them. However, his gaze would frequently drift upward toward the magnificent Azure Mountain Shadow, full of longing.
Who wouldnât want an Immortal Dao Supreme Treasure?
Unfortunately, there were only so many in the worldânot something you could just obtain by wanting one.
As Gu An picked herbs, he also explained each plant to An Xin. Most of these were entirely unfamiliar to her, so she listened intently, not distracted by the celestial phenomenon overhead.
Zhu Xinglan was quietly curious. Who exactly is this girl? Master treats her differently from others.
The mask on An Xinâs face had been refined by Gu An himself. Even at the ninth level of the Roving Immortal Stage, Zhu Xinglan couldnât see through it. Naturally, he didnât dare to probe with his divine sense.
An hour later, the overwhelming pressure covering Renjian Peak finally began to dissipate. The Azure Mountain Shadow remained, but had become even more detailedâtrees swaying in the wind within the mountain shadow, looking nearly real.
âYou can go now. No need to follow us,â Gu An said as they stepped out of a herb garden. Zhu Xinglan bowed and vanished on the spot.
An Xin was intrigued by his sudden disappearance and asked, âMaster, whatâs his cultivation?â
Gu An casually replied, âNinth Level of the Roving Immortal Stage.â
An Xinâs pupils widened beneath her mask. She had heard of Roving Immortalsâthe Nine-Fingered Divine Lord, champion of the Heavenly Rankings Tournament, was one.
To reach the ninth level of that realmâwasnât that possibly even stronger than the Nine-Fingered Divine Lord?
Feeling the pressure, An Xin realized just how many disciples were on Ding Tian Peakâand they all seemed like immortals. Her master had control of such an incredible force, yet still chose to focus on nurturing her.
How could she not feel pressure?
At the very least, she couldnât let Master down!
The pair strolled along the mountain path, chatting as they went, with the Blood Prison Grand Sage trailing behind. The sea breeze brushed past them. As they looked over the vast heavens and earth, they felt so small.
The Azure Mountain Shadow gradually dispersed. Before long, the sky returned to its brilliant blue glory.
âMaster, between that Supreme Treasure just now and Senior Li Yaâs Divine Anomaly City, which one is stronger?â An Xin couldnât help but ask.
The immense power of Divine Anomaly City during the Heavenly Rankings Tournament had left a deep impression on her.
âThe power of an Immortal Dao Supreme Treasure depends on the userâs cultivation. Li Ya canât fully unleash the strength of Divine Anomaly City yet,â Gu An replied.
The greatest strength of such treasures was their eternal indestructibility. The world had many Supreme Treasures now, all handed down through generations. Each one represented the lifeâs work of a cultivator at the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Dao.
After hearing that, An Xin became even more curious about Supreme Treasures.
This outing was meant to broaden her horizonsâhelp her understand the worldâs power structure and what Immortal Dao Supreme Treasures truly meant.
âWhatâs that?â
The Blood Prison Grand Sage suddenly asked. An Xin turned her headâand saw a streak of azure light racing from the edge of the sea, creating twin waves in its wake.
A smile appeared on Gu Anâs face. As expected.
That Supreme Treasureâs spirit wasnât ordinary. This was precisely why he had come to spectate today.
A treasure from beyond the starsâthere had to be schemes behind it.
The treasure flew directly toward Ding Tian Peak. It likely had something to do with the Demonic Embryo within the peak.
As the azure light drew closer, An Xin and the Blood Prison Grand Sageâs expressions changed dramatically. An indescribable fear surged in their hearts.
But the fear vanished instantlyâbecause Gu An stepped forward.
They both instinctively looked at him.
Gu An raised his hand, then clenched it.
The azure light in the distance disappeared.
An Xin and the Blood Prison Grand Sage turned to lookâit was gone, as if it had never existed.
They both turned to stare at Gu Anâs outstretched right hand. Unfortunately, he kept his palm closed, hiding whatever he held inside.
A figure descended from the sky, landing near the cliffâten paces away from Gu An.
He looked at Gu An with a frown.
ăFu Shenxiu (Free Soaring Immortal, Fifth Level): 168,487 / 750,000 / 2,500,000ă
Seeing his lifespan, Gu An nodded inwardly. He really does live up to the title of Renjian Peakâs number one genius.
It was entirely possible he could one day surpass even a Mystic Celestial Immortal.
Fu Shenxiu asked, âAre you Senior Meng Lang?â
Meng Lang?
An Xinâs expression turned strange.
Gu An chuckled. âThis treasure flew toward Ding Tian Peak. Doesnât that mean itâs fated to be mine?â
Fu Shenxiuâs expression changed dramatically. After all that effort, someone else had taken his treasure?
Even if he hadnât joined the Millennium Summit, Fu Shenxiu wasnât unawareâa powerful cultivator had recently joined Renjian Peak.
Someone who had slain Elder Mo Henâa being of that caliber was not someone he could contend with.
And now that person had casually seized the Supreme Treasureâit was a difference in strength too vast to bridge.
Fu Shenxiu was at a loss. His master, Dao Lord Yongnian, had told him to win over Meng Lang.
But how could you âwin overâ someone by giving away a Supreme Treasure?
Especially one with its restrictions intact and not under the Holy Courtâs control!
âSeniorâŠâ Fu Shenxiu gritted his teeth, trying to feel out Gu Anâs stance.
Suddenly, Gu An opened his right hand. A small azure mountain floated above his palm, glowing with faint light.
The moment he saw it, Fu Shenxiuâs eyes were glued to it.
Even though An Xin and the Blood Prison Grand Sage didnât know what level of cultivation this new person had, his aura and presence were obviously extraordinary.
Could that small azure mountain really be an Immortal Dao Supreme Treasure?
And Master just caught it like that�
An Xinâs heart swelled with admiration.
âIf I let go, are you sure you can catch it?â Gu An asked with a grin.
Fu Shenxiu quickly replied, âIâll do my best.â
Without hesitation, Gu An tossed the small azure mountain into the distanceâ casually, it flew over a million miles.
Fu Shenxiu appeared beside it instantly, power gathering in his right hand as he reached out.
Boom!
A terrifying force erupted, sending Fu Shenxiu flying, his face pale.
The azure mountain turned into a streak of light and shot back toward Ding Tian Peak.
By the time Fu Shenxiu turned around, the light had vanished.
He quickly flew back to the cliff, looking at Gu An with a conflicted expression.
Once again, the small azure mountain floated above Gu Anâs palm.
Just then, figures appeared in the air behind Fu ShenxiuâRenjian Peakâs ruling elite. Even the main peakâs master, Dao Lord Yongnian, had arrived.
Bai Ziyao glanced at the small azure mountain in Gu Anâs hand, then at Fu Shenxiu, a mocking smile appearing on his face.
Gu An looked at Dao Lord Yongnian and said with a smile, âPeak Master, this treasure kept charging toward Ding Tian PeakâI had no choice but to take it.â
Yongnianâs eyes flickered. He chuckled and said, âThis is Qingtian Peak, a treasure my junior brother brought from beyond the stars. If you like it, consider it a gift.â
Fu Shenxiu panicked. âMasterâŠâ
âEnough. Iâll find you another Supreme Treasure. You and this one have no fateâthereâs no one else to blame,â Yongnian replied flatly.
Though only one small realm above Fu Shenxiu, he had raised him himself. His word was final.
Fu Shenxiu took a deep breath, bowed respectfully to Gu An, and turned to leave.
The other peak masters exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts.
Yongnian looked at Gu An. âThis treasure clearly resonates with Ding Tian Peak. I hope you will protect it well.â
Gu An nodded. âIf Renjian Peak ever needs me, I will act.â
Yongnian smiled and took his leave.
The other peak masters bowed one by one and disappeared.
Gu An felt a little regretfulâBai Ziyao didnât come talk to me. Weâve grown distant.
After everyone was gone, An Xin couldnât help asking, âWe just⊠got a Supreme Treasure like that?â
It was her first time seeing her master act so dominantly.
Well, the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path was known for being domineering. Gu An was only gentle with those of lower cultivation.
The Blood Prison Grand Sage kept staring at the Qingtian Peak in Gu Anâs handâsuddenly feeling like he too had a shot at such treasures one day.
As long as he performed well!
Gu An stepped toward the mountain peak, simultaneously using his divine sense to probe Qingtian Peak.
This treasure had already nurtured a Supreme Spirit, clearly having existed for many years. It was far stronger than the Divine Anomaly Spiritâafter all, it had broken free from a Free Soaring Immortalâs suppression.
Soon, his divine sense detected a hidden Heaven Demon within Qingtian Peakâwell-concealed, likely undetectable even to a Mystic Celestial Immortal.
It was tucked into the wall of a dilapidated temple within the mountainâmotionless and silent.
âTrain hard. Once youâre strong enough, Iâll give this treasure to you,â Gu An said with a soft smile, looking at An Xin, who was filled with curiosity.