Saint Who Lay Low

As a mysterious voice echoed throughout the sky and earth, the massive azure door suddenly opened. A giant hand emerged from within, reaching into the distance and grabbing the Void Crossing cultivator who had attempted to flee.

The Void Crossing cultivator was terrified, struggling with all his might to escape, but he couldn't break free. In a moment of desperation, he tried to release his primordial spirit, only to realize that it, too, was trapped and could not escape his body.

"Who... who are you?"

The Void Crossing cultivator screamed in fear, his voice trembling.

Suddenly, the giant hand clenched, crushing him into a cloud of blood mist. His primordial spirit and golden core were completely obliterated, leaving no trace behind.

The other Divine Transformation cultivators, paralyzed with fear, scattered and fled in all directions. However, the mysterious hand made no further moves, slowly retracting back into the azure door before it disappeared.

The night wind continued to howl through the forest.

The azure runes surrounding Xuanmiao Zhenren began to dissipate, and the glowing azure door overhead faded from sight.

"Ugh—"

Xuanmiao Zhenren spat out a mouthful of blood, his face paling rapidly as his energy became severely depleted. He sat down and began to regulate his breathing, working to restore his depleted strength.

Far away in the Xuan Tian Cave Mansion, Gu An idly toyed with his teacup, his expression one of curiosity.

The giant hand that had appeared moments before was clearly at least at the Profound Heart Realm, and likely at the fifth level or higher.

No wonder Xuanmiao Zhenren had the courage to come alone to participate in the Gold List Tournament. It turned out he had such a powerful protective ability at his disposal.

Gu An found this divine ability quite intriguing.

It was both awe-inspiring and an excellent way to protect the younger generation. Even the Sword Master of the Dao himself felt a hint of envy.

At the same time, Gu An became even more curious about the Three Purities Mountain.

The fact that this sect harbored a cultivator at the fifth level of the Profound Heart Realm or higher, though not yet at the Mahayana Realm, was still enough to surprise him.

The Nine Dynasties truly hid many extraordinary figures!

No wonder the Ephemeral Blossom Sect had previously only dared to stir up trouble within the Tai Cang Dynasty instead of sweeping through all Nine Dynasties.

Gu An recalled what Ye Lan had mentioned about the Three Purities Mountain. Despite having only about a thousand disciples, the sect was still considered the premier sect of the Shen Tang Dynasty, which spoke volumes about the sheer number of powerful cultivators within its ranks.

The Shen Tang Dynasty itself was no simple place either. It got its name because the former Tian Tang Dynasty had almost succeeded in unifying the Nine Dynasties. However, after the emperor committed acts that angered the heavens, a great flood wiped out the entire dynasty, leading to a change in power.

The Shen Tang Dynasty now boasted the largest number of lakes in the Nine Dynasties. Most of its cities and sects were situated on islands. Although the flood had destroyed a dynasty, it had also greatly enriched the spiritual energy of the region, leaving it perpetually shrouded in spiritual mists.

Among the Nine Dynasties, the Shen Tang Dynasty was the most mysterious and had the most legends surrounding it. Many believed that immortals resided on its isolated islands.

Gu An shifted his attention away, despite his interest in Xuanmiao Zhenren's divine ability. He wasn't inclined to forge a connection or provoke anyone unnecessarily.

The fact that the Three Purities Mountain had a protector an entire realm above him was enough to keep Gu An from feeling too complacent.

He would continue cultivating carefully, not taking unnecessary risks.

In a thousand years, how many realms above the Nine Dynasties would he be? He looked forward to finding out.

...

Dark clouds covered the sky. On the ground, the mountains rolled like waves, and the dense forest seemed filled with lurking demons and ghosts. Between two towering peaks stood a massive palace, its red pillars and blood-colored eaves making it appear sinister and foreboding.

Inside the great hall, a group of figures in black robes knelt. There were humans, demons, and even ghostly souls among them.

At the very front knelt a man wearing a mask, obscuring his true face. He spoke in a raspy voice, "Lord Sect Master, the combined forces of the Nine Dynasties have entered the Nine Nether Path, hindering our grand plan. Should we retreat or continue to lie low?"

His voice was accompanied by a chilling ghostly aura seeping from beneath his mask.

On the raised platform in front of him stood a tall and imposing figure, cloaked in a wide black robe. A blood-red dragon coiled around the robe, its claws bared as if it could leap forth at any moment.

The man's head was crowned with flowing white hair, and atop his head rested a crown of bones. Two long, sharp horns protruded from the crown, gleaming with a cold light.

This was Jing Tuxian, the Sect Master of the Ephemeral Blossom Sect.

Jing Tuxian slowly turned, revealing a pale, emotionless face. His eyes were blood-red, and a mark of twin evil spirits adorned his forehead. The two spirits were black and clawed, making his appearance all the more terrifying.

"The Nine Dynasties... laughable. They dare to step into the Nine Nether Path—they must have a death wish."

Jing Tuxian's voice was cold, and a gust of wind swept through the hall, causing the robes of the kneeling figures to flutter.

One of the black-robed figures, a man with the head of a white tiger, spoke up. "The Nine Dynasties each have Profound Heart Realm cultivators, and the Sword Master of the Dao from Tai Xuan Sect is especially unfathomable. If we hope to conquer the Nine Dynasties before the coming demon calamity, it seems unlikely."

Another black-robed figure, a ghostly soul, added, "Both Jin Lingzun and the Night Refining Immortal were slain by the Sword Master of the Dao. He's our greatest obstacle to conquering the Nine Dynasties. His cultivation is at least at the fifth level of the Profound Heart Realm, and possibly as high as the eighth."

Boom—

Thunder rumbled outside, low and ominous, like the roar of a great beast.

"Hmph, the eighth level of the Profound Heart Realm? Then tell me, could the Sword Master of the Dao withstand the power of the Mahayana Realm?"

Jing Tuxian's blood-red eyes flashed with ferocity as his white hair fluttered in the wind.

The Mahayana Realm!

The masked man at the front responded, his voice tense. "The Nine Dynasties haven't seen a Mahayana Realm heavenly tribulation in nearly ten thousand years. He certainly wouldn't be your match. But, if you act, will it not interfere with your recovery?"

"Who told you to be so useless? Gather the sect members. Once they are assembled, we'll sweep through the Nine Dynasties. And don't forget to bring the Ephemeral Blossom Mother Tree!" Jing Tuxian said coldly, his expression unchanging.

The hall erupted in murmurs.

"Lord Sect Master, you don't mean to..." The masked man's voice trembled with apprehension.

"My decision is made. You are all dismissed."

With a wave of his sleeve, Jing Tuxian turned and walked into the shadows.

The disciples of the Ephemeral Blossom Sect in the hall exchanged uneasy glances.

...

Late at night, Gu An once again found himself in the Xuan Tian Cave Mansion. It had been half a month since his last visit.

As usual, he harvested his medicinal herbs and replanted them. After finishing, he decided to stay and enjoy the tranquility for a while.

He leaped onto the webbed hammock he had woven into the old tree beside his hut, finding a comfortable position.

"Ah, perfect..."

Gu An smiled contentedly and took out a travel journal, flipping through its pages.

Recently, he had visited the inner sect to purchase several travel journals. Partly to pass the time, but also to scout for potential locations more suitable for his next breakthrough than Northern Sea Mountain.

The cave mansion was serene, with the occasional sound of fish leaping out of the underground lake, their splashes echoing through the cavern. It added to the peaceful atmosphere.

It wasn't until late into the night that Gu An set the journal down. Spreading his divine sense, he decided to check on the happenings in Northern Sea Mountain, as had become his habit during each visit.

His attention was immediately drawn to Xuanmiao Zhenren.

This guy was still here!

He watched as Xuanmiao Zhenren established a makeshift Daoist temple deep within the mountains. Inside the temple, besides Xuanmiao Zhenren, there was also a young boy.

What's going on?

Curious, Gu An focused his attention and saw Xuanmiao Zhenren sitting in meditation before a large cauldron, with wisps of azure smoke rising from his head.

The young boy, training in a nearby wooden hut, appeared to be a demon with a fox tail.

Interesting.

Gu An observed for a while before withdrawing his divine sense.

As dawn approached, Gu An returned to Xuan Valley.

In the blink of an eye, half a year passed swiftly.

At the end of summer, after a rainstorm, the valley was stiflingly hot.

One morning, Li Ya visited Gu An once more, as usual, entering through the window. Gu An feigned surprise at the intrusion, as expected.

"Look at you, acting so timid. You're a Gold List top five hundred cultivator, after all," Li Ya teased after landing.

Gu An rose to greet him. "I only got into the top five hundred by luck. You could've easily made the top ten, if it weren't for your early match with An Hao."

Hearing this, Li Ya twitched.

He suspected Gu An was teasing him, but seeing Gu An's genuinely regretful expression, he couldn't bring himself to retort.

Little did he know, Gu An was indeed teasing him.

Stop stepping on my windowsill!

Li Ya walked over to the desk, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "I'm leaving."

"Where to? How long?"

Gu An asked casually as he walked over to the tea table and began brewing tea.

Li Ya replied, "Father Emperor has ordered me to train at Three Purities Mountain in the Shen Tang Dynasty. I'll be gone for at least several decades."

Three Purities Mountain again? Is Li Xuandao that closely tied to Three Purities Mountain?

Gu An thought for a moment before saying, "Then you should definitely go. After all, a disciple of Three Purities Mountain ranked second in the Gold List."

"Xuanmiao Zhenren is truly impressive. Even if I faced him, I don't think I'd be able to win," Li Ya agreed.

In the Gold List Tournament, Xuanmiao Zhenren was the only one who could withstand a full incense stick's worth of time against An Hao.

Gu An brought the freshly brewed tea over to the desk. "Once you get to Three Purities Mountain, make sure to focus on your cultivation. Don't get into trouble again and end up getting injured."

Cough cough. "Besides that fight with An Hao, I haven't been injured in years."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie?"

The two continued to chat, switching topics between Xuan Valley and the Gold List Tournament.

By noon, Li Ya stood up to leave. "I should go now. Gu An, I hope by the time I return, your cultivation has improved. Getting into the top five hundred of the Gold List isn't just about luck. I'm sure you've already got some opportunities of your own, so don't waste time. Make sure to catch up to your senior brother."

With that, Li Ya swiftly moved toward the window, leaping out. Another footprint was left on the windowsill.

He's definitely doing this on purpose!

Gu An sighed. Li Ya usually seemed so proper, so why did he always resort to childish tricks with him?

He gazed out the window, his expression turning pensive.

Was there some other reason Li Xuandao was sending Li Ya away now?

And what about Li Ya's soul? It felt strangely weak, almost as if it could dissipate at any moment.

Gu An shook his head, dismissing the thought. If he couldn't figure it out, there was no use dwelling on it.

Night fell.

Gu An returned to the Xuan Tian Cave Mansion. Just as he was about to harvest his herbs, his brow furrowed.

What's Xuanmiao Zhenren doing nearby?

The distance between Xuanmiao Zhenren's Daoist temple and this place was over eight thousand li. His presence here couldn't be a coincidence.

At the same time...

A few dozen li away, in a dense forest, Xuanmiao Zhenren held a compass in his hand. As he moved forward, he muttered to himself, "It should be around here... I wonder what kind of fortune lies in store..."