Chapter 55: The Taixuan Immortal Lord, A Change in Leadership
Seeing Luo Hun’s awkward expression, Gu An suddenly understood. So this guy had a taste for such things but never admitted it!
Gu An patted Luo Hun on the shoulder and laughed. “Brother Luo, I never thought you shared my tastes. Honestly, I prefer stories like Adventures of the Green Hero over the constant battles and sect struggles in Romance of the Gods. There's something refreshing about simple interactions and exploring nature—it truly tempers the Dao heart!”
Hearing this, Luo Hun’s embarrassment faded, replaced by a smile.
The two began discussing Adventures of the Green Hero in earnest, their bond growing closer. However, Luo Hun remained reserved, avoiding discussions of the romantic entanglements in the story and sticking to tales of exotic places and unusual events.
His pretense of seriousness amused Gu An immensely. The days at Horizon Valley wouldn’t be so dull anymore!
Three years flew by in the blink of an eye.
It was midsummer again. Gu An, now 38 years old, eagerly awaited the first harvest from the Third Medicine Valley. The higher-grade herbs planted in Horizon Valley still required more time.
One morning, Gu An led the disciples in their morning exercises at Xuan Valley. Though Zhen Qin, Su Han, and Ye Yan had moved to the Third Medicine Valley, three new labor disciples had arrived, keeping the valley lively.
As Gu An stretched, he sensed something and smiled.
Xiao Chuan noticed his expression. “Senior Brother, what’s so funny?”
“Nothing. Keep practicing,” Gu An replied casually, and Xiao Chuan dropped the subject.
After practice ended, Gu An dismissed the disciples and walked toward his pavilion. Just as he reached the steps, the sound of something slicing through the air made him turn.
It was Li Ya!
Years had passed, but Li Ya’s attire remained the same—a black robe. Yet his demeanor had changed, and a strand of white hair at his temple added a touch of weariness.
Li Ya’s cold face melted into a smile as he spotted Gu An, as though an iceberg had suddenly thawed.
His cultivation had reached Foundation Establishment Stage Level Nine. Gu An could feel that he was now stronger than Ji Lin had been back then and likely close to forming his Nascent Soul.
Upon landing, Li Ya opened his arms and hugged Gu An, whose body stiffened awkwardly.
“Not bad, you’ve reached Foundation Establishment! Looks like you’ve been working hard,” Li Ya said, gripping Gu An’s shoulders with a satisfied smile.
Gu An subtly freed himself from the “demonic grip” and replied with a grin, “You’re finally back. How’ve things been?”
Li Ya shook his head. “Not smoothly, but I made some gains from misfortune. Let’s talk inside.”
Gu An nodded and led him upstairs.
An hour later, the two sat in the pavilion, drinking as Li Ya recounted his experiences over the years. Gu An couldn’t help but marvel.
“That could make a great story,” he remarked.
Li Ya chuckled. “True. Though I’ve escaped death countless times, it’s made me who I am today.”
Li Ya had ventured south in search of a Transformation Stage grandmaster’s legacy, battling countless geniuses along the way. After barely emerging victorious, the grandmaster attempted to possess his body. Though Li Ya didn’t detail how he survived, Gu An suspected it had to do with the soul fragment inside him.
After escaping that ordeal, Li Ya spent three years in seclusion, refining his newfound sword intent—a transformation that reshaped his entire being. �
On his journey back from Ji Prefecture, Li Ya faced further challenges, including rescuing a young woman oppressed by a local noble family. Tragically, he later heard that the woman and her family had been killed. Returning in anger, he annihilated the noble clan, sparking widespread rumors.
But Zhen Qin suddenly asked, “Is your name supposed to be famous?”
Zhou Tongyou stiffened, his smug expression faltering.
Fearing Zhou Tongyou might stay longer if provoked, Gu An said, “It is. He dominated all the young disciples of Taixuan Sect. My respects, truly.”
Hearing this, Zhou Tongyou relaxed. Following Gu An’s lead, the disciples gasped in feigned awe.
“My goodness, I must be dreaming!”
“Unbelievable!”
“Is it really you?”
Zhou Tongyou’s expression twitched. For some reason, their praise felt oddly grating.
Taking a deep breath, he said, “Taixuan Sect is about to undergo great changes. Be cautious. Until we meet again, farewell.”
Leaping into the air, he transformed into a streak of light, vanishing over the horizon.
The disciples stared after him, awestruck by his skill.
Gu An waved dismissively. “Get back to training. Reach Foundation Establishment soon, or you won’t even qualify to see him again.”
The three bowed and dispersed.
Gu An remained behind, pondering Zhou Tongyou’s parting words.
Taixuan Sect is about to undergo great changes?
He hoped it wouldn’t affect his valleys.
Returning to his pavilion, he locked the door and sat at his desk, pulling out pen and paper. The final volume of Romance of the Gods had been submitted to the Library Hall. Now it was time for a new book.
Gu An decided to tone down the hype around Pan An, crafting a story loosely based on the Gu family’s history.
The following spring, Gu An delivered his manuscript, The Taixuan Immortal Lord, to the Library Hall. Elder Liu Chang was so captivated that he spent hours discussing it with Gu An.
Leaving
the hall, Gu An overheard disciples gossiping. Apparently, Sect Master Lu Baitian had succumbed to qi deviation and died, with Elder Chu Tianqi taking his place.
Startled, Gu An quickly left the outer sect city for the Third Medicine Valley.
Arriving at the valley, he found Gu Yu waiting with an elderly man in tattered robes. The man’s hunched frame and gaunt appearance gave him a feeble air as he surveyed the gardens.
Seeing Gu An approach, Gu Yu smiled. “You’re back! This is my father’s distant relative, Elder Tian. His spiritual roots are average, and he’s stuck in Qi Refinement. From now on, he’ll be helping out here. Feel free to assign him tasks.”
Gu An turned to the old man, his expression shifting subtly.
[Lu Baitian (Qi Refinement Stage Level Six): 742/850/3200]
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