Chapter 59: The Great Demon Calamity
“This title... It doesn’t sit well with me.”
Gu An hesitated as he held The Adventures of the Black Hero. Could Shen Zhen truly be the author of The Adventures of the Green Hero? If that were true, his admiration for the author would shatter.
But no, that didn’t make sense. Shen Zhen was from the Dao Heaven Sect in the Dahuang Empire. How could she have published a book within the Taixuan Sect?
Reassured by this thought, Gu An calmed his nerves and began flipping through the book.
Shen Zhen’s gaze lingered on the tabletop, and her ears, partially hidden by her flowing hair, flushed pink.
After reading the first page, Gu An exhaled in relief.
She wasn’t the author of The Adventures of the Green Hero. Her prose lacked the subtlety and finesse of that work, though it was clear she had drawn inspiration from it.
He continued reading patiently.
Like The Adventures of the Green Hero, The Adventures of the Black Hero opened by describing the natural scenery of a region before delving into interpersonal interactions. However, Shen Zhen’s depiction of landscapes lacked the vividness of the original, her own life experience falling short of the depth conveyed in the other work.
The room fell into a comfortable silence.
Eventually, Shen Zhen rose and wandered to the bookshelf, giving Gu An the space to finish her story.
Half an hour later, Gu An closed the book.
Turning back with a book in hand, Shen Zhen asked, “What did you think?”
Gu An smiled and asked in return, “Do you enjoy The Adventures of the Green Hero?”
Standing by the shelf, she nodded slightly. “It was the first book I ever read outside of cultivation texts. But my favorite is still your Taixuan Immortal Venerable.”
A little cliché, but very relatable. Gu An chuckled. “I’m also a fan of The Adventures of the Green Hero. It’s what inspired me to start writing.”
Shen Zhen’s eyes brightened, and she hurried back to the table, visibly excited. She immediately began discussing The Adventures of the Green Hero.
Shen Zhen chuckled softly. “Everyone has their path. Cultivation isn’t mine. I’d rather read and write. Who’s to say enlightenment only comes from absorbing spiritual energy? Throughout history, has anyone achieved immortality solely through cultivation?”
Gu An couldn’t help but admire her perspective.
After chatting for a while longer, Shen Zhen prepared to leave. Gu An escorted her downstairs.
Standing on her flying sword, she turned back and said, “Gu Gongzi, I’ll set up my cave nearby. Let’s exchange ideas often.”
Watching her figure disappear into the horizon, Gu An smiled.
Not because she planned to stay nearby, but because the seventh-grade spirit tree was as good as his.
Later that day, Gu An stepped off the teleportation array back in the valley.
From a distance, he saw Li Ya, clad in black, instructing disciples in swordsmanship. Even Xiao Chuan, the usually lazy one, was earnestly following along.
After finishing his guidance, Li Ya walked briskly toward Gu An.
The golden core aura around him was undeniable—Jindan Stage, Level One!
At 45 years old, Li Ya had reached the Golden Core Realm, just five years slower than Jiang Qiong.
As the two met, Gu An asked curiously, “What brings you here?”
Li Ya smiled faintly. “I came to protect you. Word has it that the Demon Lord of the Tianjue Sect has infiltrated the outer sect. I wanted to make sure you’re safe before heading to the inner sect.”
Gu An looked at him, his gaze softening. “You’re putting yourself at risk, staying out here like this.”
Li Ya shrugged. “You’re worth it. Let’s get through this together.”
Gu An could feel the sincerity in Li Ya’s words—a rare moment of vulnerability from someone usually so composed.
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