https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-99-The-Li-Family-s-Founding-Ancestor-The-Power-of-the-Ephemeral-Sect/12575262/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-101-The-Divine-State-Scripture-the-Fear-of-the-Union-Realm/12575264/
Chapter 100: The Wuji Free Step and the Supreme Elder
Chapter 100: The Wuji Free Step and the Supreme Elder
Late at night, heavy snowfall blanketed the forests of the Beihei Mountains.
Gu An sat on a cliff, having activated his lifespan barrier. He channeled ten millennia of his lifespan into the Wuji Wuzong Xuantian Step, successfully upgrading it to the Wuji Free Step and achieving the pinnacle of its realm!
As spiritual energy sank, he began to inherit the Wuji Free Step.
Half an hour later, Gu An opened his eyes, having completely inherited the Wuji Free Step.
The Wuji Free Step allowed him to predict his opponent's attack trajectory, surpass restrictions and formations, and tread on dharma phases, with infinite wondrous uses.
It was perfect for both battle and escape!
In another month, he would enhance the Great Yin-Yang Change, and the advanced magic art of the Demon Shadow Divine Art would help conceal his identity, fitting perfectly with his path of cultivation.
Gu An stood up and flew towards the Tai Xuan Gate.
Along the way, he spread out his spiritual sense to search for Li Ya.
Li Ya was diligently practicing his swordplay by the lake in Beihei. Gu An wondered when he would be able to master the Grand Startling Sword of Tai Cang.
Gu An looked forward to the day Li Ya and An Hao would face off, both unleashing the Grand Startling Sword of Tai Cang. Just thinking about their shocked and disbelieving expressions made him chuckle.
How entertaining!
Gu An then began to search for Hao Long, only to find that he wasn't in the Beihei Mountains at all.
Had he been driven away by the monsters of Beihei? Or, perhaps, had he been eaten? If the latter were true, then it could only be blamed on bad luck.
Taking advantage of the remaining cover of darkness, Gu An hurried back to the Mysterious Valley.
...
The new year arrived, bringing with it the Spring Festival.
Lu Baitian came, accompanied by his new disciple, An Hao, to celebrate the Spring Festival at the Third Pill Valley. An Hao went to the outer door to fetch An Xin.
The now-grown An Xin was graceful and elegant, and she and An Hao made a picture-perfect couple.
With the number of menial disciples in the Third Pill Valley reaching three hundred, Gu An decided to visit the Mysterious Valley later that evening to avoid showing favoritism.
Gu An and Lu Baitian sat across from each other under an old tree, drinking and chatting about trivial matters concerning the Third Pill Valley. Lu Baitian enjoyed these conversations.
In his own words, of all the hundreds of years he had lived, the most comfortable days were those spent in the Third Pill Valley.
"Since you miss our Pill Valley so much, why not give up the position of sect master and return to a life of seclusion?" Gu An joked, their now-familiar relationship allowing him to tease.
Of course, his biggest reliance was still his Great Vehicle Realm cultivation!
Lu Baitian shook his head and smiled, "It's a case of 'if you don't advance, you retreat'. If I give up the position of sect master, it won't be long before I'm branded a traitor to the Tai Xuan Gate. Some might even spread all sorts of malicious rumors about me, and who knows, I might even be labeled a spy for the Demon Path."
"Moreover, the Lu and Gu clans that support me would not allow me to step down. In the Tai Xuan Gate, cultivation is of the utmost importance, but sometimes, it's not that simple."
There was a meaningful undertone to his words, as if he were hinting at something regarding Gu An.
Gu An steered the conversation in another direction, "Recently, a sect called the Ephemeral Flower Teaching has emerged in the cultivation world. Have you heard of it?"
Having spent a long time in the Tai Xuan Gate, he had developed a soft spot for the sect.
Lu Baitian nodded slightly, then picked up the wine pot and poured Gu An a cup. "The Tai Xuan Gate has long been aware of the existence of the Ephemeral Flower Teaching. In fact, two hundred years ago, the Ephemeral Flower Teaching attempted to infiltrate the Tai Cang Dynasty. At that time, the royalty was under their control, and I led the Tai Xuan Gate against the Ephemeral Flower Teaching in Beihei, driving them back."
"The Ephemeral Flower Teaching has resurfaced, likely because they sense that the Tai Xuan Gate has just gone through a major battle and is severely weakened. In fact, the Tai Xuan Gate is currently unable to stop the Ephemeral Flower Teaching from absorbing the Demon Path."
Gu An frowned, confused, "Then what should we do? Are we just going to let them grow stronger?"
Lu Baitian remained calm, "It's fine. The Ephemeral Flower Teaching has spies within the Tai Xuan Gate, but we also have informants within their ranks. The Ephemeral Flower Teaching has many branches, but at the moment, even the Tai Xuan Gate doesn't know their origins. Knowing oneself and the enemy, one will never be endangered by a hundred battles. Let's just wait and see. Besides, I'm also preparing to break through and challenge destiny."
And he called this fine?
Not even knowing the strength of their enemy! Gu An felt that Lu Baitian was putting on a brave front. The reason he wasn't taking action against the Ephemeral Flower Teaching was likely because he wanted to break through first.
"Speaking of the Ephemeral Flower Teaching, I plan to send ten of the sect's young disciples with top-notch talent to the Third Pill Valley. They can protect you and follow you in your cultivation." Lu Baitian smiled.
Gu An was taken aback, and asked helplessly, "What can I teach them? I can't guide them in anything."
"They don't need your guidance. As long as they integrate into life here and calm their minds, that will be enough." Lu Baitian shook his head.
Gu An suddenly wondered if this fellow had recognized him as the Sword Sovereign of the Dao Protector?
Why else would he treat him so well and even send geniuses to assist him?
Under the guise of cultivation, was he actually hoping that the Sword Sovereign of the Dao Protector would give these disciples a pointer or two? Gu An began to probe Lu Baitian, asking why he didn't let the Sword Sovereign of the Dao Protector teach these disciples himself, since the cultivation world considered him the strongest?
Lu Baitian frowned, "To be honest, we have no clue who the Sword Sovereign of the Dao Protector really is. He may be a hidden ascetic cultivator, and such examples are not uncommon in the Tai Xuan Gate. The sect has been around for thousands of years and has had millions of disciples. Inevitably, some of them will obtain great opportunities, defy the heavens, and change their fate, yet choose to remain hidden."
"There's also a possibility that the Sword Sovereign of the Dao Protector is one of the Supreme Elders. The Supreme Elders are like mythical dragons, rarely seen but always present. Think about the two characters for 'righteous path' in Butian Tai—it's highly likely that a Supreme Elder is guiding and correcting the ethos of the Tai Xuan Gate."
So there really are Supreme Elders!
No wonder Lu Baitian wasn't worried.
What truly put Gu An at ease was that Lu Baitian didn't seem to associate him with the Sword Sovereign of the Dao Protector.
After some thought, Gu An suddenly felt that he might be overthinking things.
How old was he, really?
How could he possibly be the Sword Sovereign of the Dao Protector?
At most, they would think he had some connection to the mysterious figure.
With his worries assuaged, Gu An asked, "Sect Master, if you successfully break through, will you be able to crush the Ephemeral Flower Teaching?"
Lu Baitian laughed. "If the Ephemeral Flower Teaching still had the strength they did two hundred years ago, and if I were to break through, I could sweep them away single-handedly."
"Kid, do you know what realm I'm in?"
He raised his chin, arrogance plain on his face.
Gu An pondered for a moment. "Shouldn't you be above the Spirit Transformation realm?"
"Hahaha!"
Lu Baitian burst into laughter, attracting the attention of others in the distance.
Gu An watched Lu Baitian's theatrics, feeling secretly pleased.
"Above the Spirit Transformation realm is the Void Traversing realm, and above that is the Fusion of Five Elements realm. As for me, I've reached the ninth layer of the Fusion of Five Elements realm!" Lu Baitian said softly, and as he spoke, Gu An clearly sensed his spiritual power spreading out to form a barrier that prevented the other disciples from eavesdropping.
Gu An's face showed his shock as he muttered to himself, "The ninth layer of the Fusion of Five Elements... How many years of cultivation does it take to reach that level?"
"Haha, with your talent, forget about the Fusion of Five Elements realm, it's hard to say if you'll even reach the Nascent Soul realm in this lifetime. Become my disciple, and my cultivation will be yours in the future." Lu Baitian once again revealed his intentions, his tone filled with enticement.
A look of longing and delight appeared on Gu An's face, which pleased Lu Baitian immensely.
This kid was finally getting it!
"Forget it, being at the top isn't always a good thing. Just like you, there are times when you're not in control of your own destiny. How high does one's cultivation have to be to be considered high? Isn't enjoying life more meaningful?" Gu An shook his head, making Lu Baitian feel like vomiting blood.
This kid truly didn't understand the treacherous nature of the cultivation world!
If not for the protection of the Tai Xuan Gate, how could Gu An be so carefree?
Lu Baitian was about to say something, but the words caught in his throat as he thought of Gu An's previous opinions about the outer sect and his teachings.
The reason he had taken a liking to Gu An was because of the young man's state of mind, wasn't it?
If the carefree and desireless Gu An became the sect master, it would be a blessing for the Tai Xuan Gate. The fact that he wasn't willing now didn't mean he wouldn't be in the future, and anyway, he still had a long way to go before his lifespan ran out.
Lu Baitian had thus convinced himself.
Gu An then asked, "Sect Master, what realm is above the Fusion of Five Elements?"
He was probing the depth of the Tai Xuan Gate's knowledge!
Lu Baitian humphed, "Wait until you become my disciple, then I'll tell you!"
"Why must I become your disciple? Didn't you already take An Hao as your disciple? Why not cultivate him to become the sect master?"
"His background is unclear, and he has also bowed to Chu Tianqi as a teacher. I took him in out of a desire for talent, not because I trust him."
"So you trust me, then?"
"Of course. I've already investigated your background. You're a servant raised by the Ji family and have some connection to Li Xuandao. You might even have some ties to the Qianqiu Pavilion, but I can tell that you're not acting of your own volition. Your connection to Li Xuandao is because of Li Ya, and your ties to the Qianqiu Pavilion are because of the previous valley master."
Lu Baitian's words and expression seemed to say that he had seen right through Gu An.
Gu An was moved, and his change in expression greatly satisfied Lu Baitian's psychological needs.
"I didn't expect that you already knew. I really am not acting of my own volition. Do I need to cut off contact with them in the future?" Gu An asked anxiously.
Lu Baitian waved his hand. "No need. Just keep things as they are. Completely cutting off contact will only bring you trouble. Besides, I might be able to gather some intelligence on them through you. Anyway, there are traitors within the Tai Xuan Gate as numerous as the stars in the sky. Just among those I know about and haven't dealt with yet, there are over a thousand."
Gu An suddenly didn't know how to evaluate him, so he could only give him a look of admiration.
Lu Baitian became even more proud of himself and started chatting about past incidents of traitors causing great chaos.
Every time such a major incident occurred, Lu Baitian would round up all the traitors, at least on the surface. In reality, he would leave half of them alone and brand the other half as traitors of the Demon Path, dealing with them all at once.
The remaining half of the Demon Path traitors would then be promoted by him, and they would surely feel deeply trusted. They would either turn over a new leaf or become even more rampant, preparing the way for Lu Baitian to strike them down in the future.
The two chatted for a long time, and Gu An realized that Lu Baitian was teaching him how to handle sect affairs.
That night, Gu An went to Xuangu Valley alone and had dinner with the other disciples.
When the conversation was at its liveliest, Gu An announced that he was appointing Lu Jiujia as the chief disciple to manage the day-to-day affairs of Pill Valley, which left Lu Jiujia bewildered.
Yang Ni frowned, thinking to herself, "He must suspect me. He usually doesn't interact with this Lu Jiujia, so why would he suddenly appoint him as the chief disciple?"
She felt that she needed to make a move!
(End of Chapter)
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