https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-225-Gu-An-and-the-Sword-Immortal/12590238/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-227-A-Startling-Turn-of-Events-at-Sea-A-Strange-Scent/12592891/
Chapter 226: A Paradise in the Secular World
Chapter 226: A Paradise in the Secular World
Jiang Qiong briefly explained the might of the Blood Domain Soul-Trapping Pagoda. This tower could suppress enemies, and once they fell into it, they would become disoriented and find it difficult to escape. They would be constantly burned by the bloody flames within, and if they were just a soul, there would be no chance of escape.
According to Shen Yi Xianling, the Blood Domain Soul-Trapping Pagoda was undoubtedly one of the top three immortal treasures within Shen Yi City. This was the reason why the Seven Star Spirit Realm cultivators were searching for it.
Most of the treasures within Shen Yi City had been plundered. Some were taken from slain enemies by previous owners, while others were left behind by adventurers who had perished. The Blood Domain Soul-Trapping Pagoda, however, had always been renowned on the ocean and was considered a legendary top-grade immortal treasure.
Gu An exclaimed in awe from time to time, causing the corners of Jiang Qiong's mouth to curl up involuntarily.
Seeing Gu An's unworldly demeanor, she didn't feel repelled but instead found it interesting.
While her cultivation level was insignificant elsewhere, in front of Gu An, she was a grand cultivator.
Even if many people looked down on her, having Gu An's admiration was enough.
Jiang Qiong continued to recount her experiences from previous years, including how she founded the Gathered Flowers Sect. Gu An listened attentively, even though he often used his spiritual sense to observe her. Hearing the stories from her own lips made them all the more fascinating.
The night passed.
The next day, at noon, Gu An emerged from the pill cauldron and quickly put on his robe.
Jiang Qiong stood before him, observing him with a look of wonder. "I didn't expect your absorption speed to be so fast," she marveled.
Gu An had controlled his qi and blood with great precision, leaving no signs for Jiang Qiong to detect any issues.
"Thank you!" Gu An said sincerely.
Jiang Qiong secretly thought that this kid still refused to call her Master, and in the past, she would have been angry. But now, she felt a hint of secret joy.
She tilted her head back and said, "Focus on your sword training. Your talent in the sword path is exceptional. As for your cultivation, I'll find a way to help you improve."
"This... shouldn't I leave it for your own use? It would be a waste to give it to me," Gu An hesitated, his gratitude toward Jiang Qiong genuine.
That was enough!
There was no need for him to actually say it.
If combat power had a numerical value, then with Jiang Qiong's help last night, Gu An's combat power had successfully increased from one hundred billion to one hundred billion and one! It was indeed an enhancement, but this additional value would be even more significant if it were on Jiang Qiong.
Jiang Qiong snorted, "Rest assured, I won't neglect my own cultivation."
Gu An could only give up on the matter.
Jiang Qiong inquired about Gu An's experiences over the years, and he did not hide anything. However, as she listened, Jiang Qiong couldn't help but interrupt.
"Planting herbs, always planting herbs. Why are you always planting herbs?" Jiang Qiong asked, narrowing her eyes.
Gu An replied with a twist of his mouth, "Yes, I've been planting herbs all the time. What else did you think I would be doing? Don't underestimate herb planting. The feelings you get are different depending on the type of herb you're cultivating..."
He began to enthusiastically share his herb-planting experiences.
Jiang Qiong forcibly suppressed the irritability in her heart and listened carefully. Gradually, her state of mind returned to calmness.
It was quite interesting to hear Gu An narrate his agrarian life, and it brought her thoughts back to her childhood.
Time flew by.
It wasn't until the arrival of nightfall that Jiang Qiong finally bid farewell and left.
Gu An, on the other hand, remained within the Eight Scenery Paradise, planning to venture out early the next morning.
During the rest of the winter, the various cities of the Tai Xuan Gate were abuzz with discussions about Shen Yi City. The name of Li Ya spread throughout the cultivation world, his fame eclipsing that of Fu Dao Jianzun and Pan An.
Many believed that Li Ya, now in possession of Shen Yi City, would undoubtedly become an immortal in the future. Moreover, due to his youth, some even proclaimed him to be the foremost figure of the younger generation, surpassing even An Hao.
Li Ya's fame did not affect Gu An's life, however.
With the capture of Shen Yi City, many overseas grand cultivators departed, but a portion of cultivators remained and joined various sects and factions, with the largest number joining the Tai Xuan Gate.
This was because Li Ya himself hailed from the Tai Xuan Gate!
With Shen Yi City in his hands, Li Ya no longer needed to wait for the future. He already possessed power surpassing that of scattered immortals, and even wandering immortals would find it difficult to oppose him.
And so, another new year arrived.
This year, the Tai Xuan Gate's Spring Festival regained its former liveliness and was even more vibrant. It was said that the Tai Xuan Gate was preparing to head south to search for islands and establish new cities, and with the support of the Star Sea Group, their efforts would be twice as effective.
After the Spring Festival, the Tai Xuan Gate began recruiting disciples to venture south into the sea. The quota was set at a staggering one hundred thousand, and the treatment offered was extremely attractive, leading to enthusiastic sign-ups from all the cities.
Gu An continued to busy himself with harvesting herbs, occasionally worrying about the Seven Star Spirit Realm causing trouble.
In the disputes caused by Shen Yi City, the Seven Star Spirit Realm had suffered the most significant losses. However, they were currently acting very calmly, which made Gu An feel that they were brewing something even more formidable.
Time passed, and by March, the matter of Shen Yi City gradually faded from the minds of the Tai Xuan Gate disciples.
On this day, Gu An arrived at the Outer Gate's library and returned the last volume of 'Journey to the West'.
Despite Elder Feng Shang's earnest pleas for him to stay, Gu An found an excuse to leave.
Not long after departing from the library, a figure blocked Gu An's path. It was none other than You Yingying from the Star Sea Group, disguised as a plump man with a jovial appearance.
"Brother Gu, how have you been lately?" You Yingying asked with a smile, having already informed Gu An of her true identity via sound transmission.
"Not bad," Gu An replied with a smile. "And you?"
He couldn't understand why You Yingying always enjoyed transforming her appearance. What was the point, especially when she wasn't well-known within the Tai Xuan Gate? It made no sense to him.
You Yingying from the Star Sea Group asked, "How have you been lately? I've been rather bored lately. I was thinking of going to your Herb Valley to lend you a hand. What do you say?"
Gu An hesitated for a moment before agreeing and leading the way to the Third Herb Valley.
Upon hearing this, You Yingying was delighted and pulled Gu An towards her residence, as she needed to pack.
"Your Tai Xuan Gate has produced a talent like Li Ya. With their help, your sect will surely rise to prominence again. At the very least, the Star Sea Group will assist you," You Yingying said as they walked, her tone filled with emotion.
She never expected that amidst the competition among so many powerful cultivators, an unknown and ordinary cultivator like Li Ya would be able to win the recognition of Shen Yi City.
Coming from the Star Sea Group, she was well aware of the might of pseudo-immortal treasures. With one in his possession, Li Ya was destined to become a formidable cultivator on the ocean.
"That's wonderful," Gu An replied, feigning excitement.
You Yingying then began to tell Gu An about the powerful immortal treasures of the Star Sea Group.
The Star Sea Chaos Banner, as it was called, could invert the stars and oceans within its range, causing those who entered to become eternally lost. It could also borrow the power of the stars and the ocean to turn the tides of battle.
The Seven Star Mirror of the Seven Star Spirit Realm was said to contain ancient power, and under its light, nothing could hide.
Gu An listened with great interest.
He wondered what kind of realm was required to create such immortal treasures. When he reached that level, he too wanted to create one.
It was best to plan ahead to avoid being caught unprepared.
...
Time flew by, and five years passed in the blink of an eye.
After Li Ya claimed Shen Yi City, the continent enjoyed a period of peace. Tai Xuan Gate had successfully established cities overseas, and the Outer Gate even had a teleportation formation leading to the cities in the South Sea. More and more disciples ventured out to train, and news from the ocean constantly reached the sect.
Ever since the teleportation formation to the South Sea City was established, Gu An had been able to see new and interesting things on his visits to the Outer Gate cities, giving him a sense of excitement akin to attending a bustling market.
In the early summer, Gu An arrived at the Island of Xian Search.
Led by Hu Xiaojian, a servant of the Huhai Mansion, Gu An toured the island while listening to stories of various incidents that had occurred on the ocean.
"There's been increasing friction between the Star Sea Group and the Seven Star Spirit Realm," Hu Xiaojian said with a sigh. "The Seven Star Spirit Realm has gone crazy, constantly invading the Star Sea Group's territories. It's said that this is related to a pseudo-immortal treasure that appeared five years ago. The Seven Star Spirit Realm released a pseudo-immortal treasure on a distant continent and let people fight over it. Eventually, it was obtained by a minor cultivator, and the Star Sea Group took that cultivator under their wing, angering the Seven Star Spirit Realm."
Gu An asked, "Why would the Seven Star Spirit Realm release a pseudo-immortal treasure?"
He had been puzzled by this before, feeling that there was something strange about it. Even Shen Yi Xianling didn't know the reason and assumed that it was because she was too powerful, causing the cultivators of the Seven Star Spirit Realm to be unable to find her and forcing them to release Shen Yi City.
However, from the perspective of the Seven Star Spirit Realm, even if they couldn't subdue Shen Yi City, they shouldn't have given other forces the opportunity to obtain it.
Hu Xiaojian frowned and said, "It does seem a bit odd. Perhaps the Seven Star Spirit Realm needed a reason to start a war with the Star Sea Group? But using a pseudo-immortal treasure as bait seems a bit exaggerated."
The two of them continued chatting as they walked.
Gu An wasn't worried about the topic causing any trouble, as the cultivators around them were also discussing the conflict between the two major powers of the ocean.
Half a day later, Gu An left the Island of Xian Search and arrived at Tianhuang Mountain, where he entered the Nianchu Cave Heaven with Tian Yao'er, Tian Qing, and Tian Bai.
He took out the seeds he had purchased that day and asked the three girls to plant them. Although Tian Qing and Tian Bai had not yet taken human form, their claws were dexterous, and they were capable of performing the task.
While they were planting, Gu An went to the entrance of the cave heaven and used his spiritual power to condense a stone stele, on which he inscribed words with his sword qi.
Otherworldly Cave Heaven!
The name implied eternal seclusion from the world.
From then on, Gu An would not bring anyone else to live here. This place would forever be his hidden herb valley, dedicated to providing him with longevity.
As the Otherworldly Cave Heaven was planted with seeds of the seventh rank and above, no herbs had matured yet, but he was patient and willing to wait.
He looked forward to the day when the first batch of herbs matured, as they would bring him a substantial increase in lifespan.
Two hours later, Gu An left the Otherworldly Cave Heaven with the three girls and headed towards the Nianchu Cave Heaven through the underground passage.
"I've prepared pills for you to take human form. You'll be able to transform in a few days," Gu An said as he walked ahead.
Upon hearing this, Tian Qing and Tian Bai were overjoyed and immediately expressed their gratitude to their master for his gift.
While it was possible for demons to take human form through their own cultivation, having a pill would speed up the process and increase the chances of success. If they failed to transform on their own, they would suffer injury or even death, similar to the tribulations faced by cultivators.
"What about me, Master?" Tian Yao'er asked as she carried Tian Bai, squeezing herself next to Gu An.
"I've prepared a batch of pills to enhance your qi and blood," Gu An replied.
The pills he was giving to Tian Yao'er were not of his own making but were purchased on the Island of Xian Search. They were incredibly valuable, originating from the Purple Dan Palace, the foremost pill refining sect on the ocean.
(End of Chapter)
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