Chapter 367: I want to become an immortal and establish a heaven

Chapter 367 I want to become an immortal and establish a heaven

There had always been a legend of the phoenix at Phoenix Mountain. Tian Yao’er’s true form was a special kind of bird, harboring a mysterious flame within her body. This had long made Gu An suspect she might be connected to the mythical phoenix.

“Master, what are you looking at?” Tian Yao’er asked nervously.

Tianqing and Tianbai looked up at the sky but saw nothing, which made them even more anxious.

Could there be something invisible to them sneaking into the Hidden Realm?

Gu An shifted his gaze to Tian Yao’er. He had seen karmic threads on her that linked faintly to the phoenix. Although the connection was weak, it was real—proof that Tian Yao’er was a descendant of the phoenix.

He wasn’t particularly worried about the phoenix coming after her. The karmic link was far too faint. Back when he was at the Divine Soul Immortal level, he hadn’t even been able to sense it, which meant her bloodline had been diluted through countless generations.

That phoenix was just at the Free Soaring Immortal Stage anyway.

Gu An spoke, “No need to worry. I was just looking at your ancestor. The reason you feel uneasy is because your ancestor is unsettled, and it’s affecting you through your bloodline.”

Ancestor?

Tian Yao’er had lost both her parents and had long treated Gu An as her only support. Now, hearing that she might have an ancestor still out there, how could she stay calm?

Her lips parted, but in the end, she fell silent.

Tianqing asked curiously, “Master, who’s her ancestor? What’s their cultivation?”

Tianbai also looked at Gu An, eyes full of anticipation.

Gu An shot back with a question, “Do you still remember the legend of Phoenix Mountain?”

At those words, Tian Yao’er’s expression shifted—hope, nervousness, defiance—all sorts of emotions flashed through her eyes. In that moment, she looked nothing like her usual playful self.

“Could Miss really be a descendant of the phoenix?” Tianbai exclaimed, eyes wide.

Gu An chuckled and nodded. “But the bloodline’s so far removed, and the phoenix’s descendants are beyond count.”

He wasn’t exaggerating. Tracing the karma linked to the phoenix, he found thousands of threads spread across the world. Descendants like Tian Yao’er were countless. Some weren’t even the same species—some phoenix offspring even lived in the sea.

After hearing this, Tian Yao’er seemed to let go of a burden. She visibly relaxed and broke into a smile.

Gu An looked at her and teased, “You were scared just now, weren’t you?”

Tian Yao’er nodded. “I don’t want some ancestor. I only want to stay with Master. When I was imprisoned by the Phoenix Demon Mother, when I was hunted... I never saw that ancestor.”

Learning she had an ancestor out there, she felt more afraid than happy. She feared Gu An might send her away.

Gu An walked over, patted her head, and smiled. “What are you thinking? How could I ever abandon you? If the phoenix wants to fight me for you, I won’t agree. I’ve raised you all these years—no way I did that for nothing.”

Tian Yao’er’s smile grew even brighter.

Truthfully, if she ever wanted to leave, Gu An wouldn’t stop her. He was powerful enough now not to fear the Hidden Realm being exposed.

But he worried that saying he was fine with letting her go might make her more anxious instead.

Tianqing and Tianbai weren’t thinking that deeply. They were just more curious about how powerful a phoenix really was.

“Stop asking,” Gu An huffed. “Phoenixes are definitely powerful. If you dig too much, they’ll visit you in your dreams and eat you.”

The two demons shivered and quickly stopped asking.

It wasn’t until noon that Gu An finally left.

He traveled to the Northern Sea Mountain Range, appearing before Xuanmiao Zhenren as the Mountain God.

Xuanmiao Zhenren had gotten used to this secluded life—growing flowers, tending herbs, finding peace. Sometimes he’d debate the Dao with passing cultivators. It wasn’t a bad way to live.

When Gu An, in his Mountain God form, appeared before him, he no longer acted as reserved as he had centuries ago.

He stood and bowed.

Gu An sat on the eaves and asked, “Encountered any difficulties in your cultivation lately?”

Though the lifespan offerings from the Mountain God Dao Temple weren’t much, Xuanmiao Zhenren’s sincerity moved him. So, he was willing to guide his cultivation.

Xuanmiao Zhenren shook his head with a smile. “Not for now.”

He looked up at the Mountain God, hesitated, then asked, “In your opinion, are the Immortal Dynasty and the Holy Court truly immortal?”

It was a question he’d long wanted to ask but had feared might offend.

The techniques used by the Immortal Dynasty’s Yuanxu Ancestor to bless the people had shaken him to the core, challenging everything he believed.

To him, not even the Mountain God could do that.

Now he’d heard that war between the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court was imminent, which only made his heart more conflicted.

How could immortals fight over power like mortals?

If those two weren’t true immortals, just powerful individuals, why were mortals weaker than them?

These doubts had taken root in Xuanmiao Zhenren’s heart, growing stronger by the day.

Gu An crossed one leg over the other, staring down at him. Behind the mask, his eyes were deep. “What do you think immortals should be like?”

“Like you—protecting all beings, untouched by worldly gain.”

“If that’s what you believe, why ask the question when you already have the answer?”

“I just…”

Xuanmiao Zhenren frowned, unsure how to explain.

Gu An asked, “You think they’re stronger than me, so you can’t tell who’s the real immortal?”

Xuanmiao Zhenren nodded, nervously watching him, afraid of upsetting the Mountain God.

“Have you ever thought about why you cultivate here with me? If you’re so obsessed with becoming immortal, why not aim to become one yourself?”

Eyes widening, Xuanmiao Zhenren asked, shocked, “Me? Become immortal?”

“Your doubt is shared by the entire world. What you see isn’t necessarily the truth. The world is waiting for a true immortal to descend. Why can’t that be you?” Gu An said meaningfully.

In truth, he was mostly bluffing—just trying to get Xuanmiao Zhenren to focus more on cultivation.

Over the years, anyone who passed by was told of the Mountain God’s power and mercy. As a result, many in times of trouble had begun praying to him.

Gu An hadn’t paid much attention to it, but those prayers created something like fortune power—he called it wishforce.

Maybe real immortals needed to walk the path of wishforce, feeling the suffering of all beings.

But Gu An wasn’t after immortality—he wanted longevity.

Still, since Xuanmiao Zhenren longed so badly to become an immortal, Gu An didn’t mind nurturing him into one.

To become an immortal, the most important thing was having the power to save others. A kind heart alone wasn’t enough.

Xuanmiao Zhenren was stunned. His heartbeat quickened.

Gu An leapt off the eaves, heading into the garden to gather herbs. Xuanmiao Zhenren quickly followed.

“I… could someone like me really become an immortal?” he asked cautiously.

Without turning back, Gu An answered, “Immortality isn’t about height—it’s about heart.”

Xuanmiao Zhenren’s expression shifted. The words struck him deeply.

A long silence followed.

Eventually, the two returned to the courtyard.

Gu An gave a few instructions and was about to leave when Xuanmiao Zhenren suddenly looked up and said, “Mountain God, I’ve made up my mind. I want to become an immortal. I want to establish the Heavenly Court!”

Gu An stopped and tilted his head. “The Heavenly Court?”

“That’s the immortal authority from Journey to the West. In the book, immortals slay demons and protect mortals—they exist to serve all living beings. Sure, the Heavenly Court had its flaws, but at least they tried to help.”

Xuanmiao Zhenren spoke earnestly, his face growing resolute, his eyes glowing with purpose.

Gu An smiled and disappeared from the eaves.

With lofty ambition in his heart, Xuanmiao Zhenren sat cross-legged. He resolved to train harder than ever and live up to the Mountain God’s support!

Spring Festival arrived.

This year was more festive than usual because the Taixuan Sect had invited many sects to celebrate.

The Third Medicine Valley was decorated with lanterns and filled with cheer. All the disciples wore smiles.

When night fell, on a temporary stage, disciples took turns performing, keeping the celebration lively and joyful.

Gu An swirled a bowl of spirit wine, his gaze drifting to the starry night.

The sky sparkled, breathtakingly beautiful—as if even the heavens were celebrating.

But beyond the sky, tension in the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm between the various sects and the Heaven Demons continued to rise.

Sweeping his gaze, Gu An counted over a million Heaven Demons, with even their weakest at the Scattered Immortal Stage. Two had reached the Divine Soul Immortal Stage—this alone made the sects wary.

He saw Holy Court cultivators negotiating with Divine Soul-level demons. Right now, the Heaven Demons seemed to have the upper hand.

The Holy Court wasn’t as mighty as the legends said.

Heaven Demons were also probing for Saint Heaven’s stance, while the Holy Court dodged the issue—clearly up to something.

Gu An figured the war would break out soon.

He didn’t plan to get involved. With the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court in play, he was happy to lay low after his recent breakthrough.

Just then, Long Qing came over, demanding to drink with his Master. Gu An didn’t indulge him—he met him head-on.

The Valley’s wines were all spirit wines, strong enough to intoxicate even cultivators.

It wasn’t until well into the night that peace returned to the Third Medicine Valley.

Early the next morning, Gu An left for Xuan Valley. After chatting with the disciples for a while, he entered the Eight Views Celestial Realm.

In the distance, beneath the Spirit Tree, lay a massive creature.

A black flood dragon!

【Hao Long (Void Transformation Stage, Fifth Level): 387/8000/18000】

Looking at Hao Long’s lifespan, Gu An felt a bit disappointed.

It seemed Hao Long hadn’t had much fortune in recent years.

Sensing something, Hao Long opened his eyes. When he saw Gu An, he immediately raised his head.

“Master!”

Hao Long called out excitedly, charging toward him and stirring the grass and flowers with a gust of wind.

He shrank his form to about two meters long, trying to throw himself into Gu An’s arms—but was pinned down by the Fate Pen against his forehead.

“What are you doing here?” Gu An asked.

Hao Long chuckled. “The Gu Hao Sect came to attend Taixuan Sect’s Spring Festival. I snuck along—I wanted to see you again.”

Gu An snapped, “You’re the Sacred Beast of Gu Hao Sect. You think you can sneak off unnoticed?”

He had already sensed others approaching the Eight Views Celestial Realm.

Still, he wasn’t angry—in fact, he was a bit excited.