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Chapter 232: The Apocalypse is Nigh
Chapter 232: The Apocalypse is Nigh
Once seated, Lu Baitian began to query Gu An about what type of assembly would be more enticing moving forward.
Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, and Shen Zhen stood by, listening with curiosity as to how Gu An would counsel Lu Baitian.
Gu An contemplated, "The Tai Xuan Gate has already hosted numerous assemblies, and while the events have been diverse, most disciples don't feel invested. Furthermore, other sects have begun to emulate us, making it harder for our assemblies to gain traction and expand our influence."
Lu Baitian nodded, as this had indeed been a concern for him.
The other sects weren't foolish. They had witnessed the Tai Xuan Gate's successes and quickly followed suit by organizing similar events. Ever since the rise of the Cang Tian Zong, that sect had become the preferred choice for cultivators, greatly diminishing the appeal of the Tai Xuan Gate.
To this day, the Cang Tian Zong remained the foremost sect in the Three Dynasties' cultivation world.
Shen Zhen also fell deep in thought.
Although the Great Yu Dynasty had fallen, the Dao Tian Jiao still stood strong. Now that it had established a close relationship with the Tai Xuan Gate, the better the sect fared, the more it benefited the Dao Tian Jiao.
Gu An continued, "In fact, our Tai Xuan Gate has the greatest advantage with two Great Vehicle Realm cultivators and the enigmatic Fu Dao Jian Zun. In this regard, the Cang Tian Zong pales in comparison. If we wish to surpass them, why not host a Heavenly Roll Call assembly? Let's remove age and cultivation base restrictions and solely determine the top 100 through competitive trials. As long as we spread the word, all cultivators in the world will surely be intrigued, and any sect that dares not join will become a laughingstock."
"If the Cang Tian Zong doesn't dare to participate, they will undoubtedly be seen as inferior to the Tai Xuan Gate in the eyes of all cultivators. Should they join, then it's a fair competition to see which Dao Lord prevails over Seniors Xuan and Qiao."
Upon hearing this, Lu Baitian's eyes lit up, but he still hesitated, "How can we prevent a fight between Great Vehicle Realm cultivators from escalating?"
Gu An suggested, "What if we hold it outside the sect? We can use Senior Jian Zun's presence to deter any unruly behavior."
Lu Baitian frowned, still doubtful.
In truth, the higher-ups of the Tai Xuan Gate were also wary of Fu Dao Jian Zun. They didn't know his intentions or his true origins.
Previously, they had hoped that Fu Dao Jian Zun was a hidden, dedicated cultivator nurtured by the Tai Xuan Gate. But as they encountered more and more immortals, they realized that their sect's environment couldn't have produced such a being. Fu Dao Jian Zun was simply too powerful, forcing them to accept this reality.
"If the sect leader fears offending Jian Zun, we can allocate a portion of the profits from the Heavenly Roll Call assembly to the Butian Terrace as an offering to show our sincerity." Gu An proposed a solution.
"Is that really wise?" Lu Baitian asked hesitantly.
Gu An continued, "You can go and confer with the Duan Tian Axe. Since Jian Zun is an immortal, he will surely hear of it. As long as you explain the situation clearly, he should give his tacit consent."
"After the Heavenly Roll Call, as long as the Tai Xuan Gate's cultivators maintain their top position in the Three Dynasties, other sects won't dare to host a similar event. Only the number one sect has that privilege. If the Cang Tian Zong fails to secure the top spot, their morale will take a hit."
"Like the previous Golden Roll Call assembly, the Heavenly Roll Call should also be documented in a registry. It's best to distribute it for free to all cultivators without charging any spirit stones. First, we'll spread our influence, and then for the second Heavenly Roll Call assembly, we can charge spirit stones for the registry and profit from it."
With just this announcement from the Tai Xuan Gate, the matter would be settled.
Throughout history, sects hadn't refrained from doing this because they hadn't thought of it, but because they dared not. Gathering the top cultivators from all over and having them compete within their sect was a risky endeavor. If things spiraled out of control, it could bring about their downfall.
The Tai Xuan Gate was different because they had Fu Dao Jian Zun, a being that tipped the scales in their favor!
Shen Zhen exclaimed, "This plan is truly audacious. No sect in the world can refuse, even if they know they can't compete for the top spot."
The more Lu Baitian considered it, the more feasible it seemed. As long as the Tai Xuan Gate secured the top position, they could continue recruiting powerful cultivators!
"But what if the Holy Lands and overseas cultivators also join?" Lu Baitian asked, still hesitant.
Gu An laughed, "Wouldn't that further showcase the influence of the Tai Xuan Gate? If even cultivators from the Holy Lands are drawn to participate, as long as our people maintain the highest ranking within the Three Dynasties, all will be well."
Lu Baitian found this reasonable and proceeded to discuss the specifics with Gu An.
Mere slogans weren't enough; they also had to offer tangible benefits to attract more cultivators.
As Ye Lan observed Gu An and Lu Baitian discuss matters of great importance, she felt a sense of awe. Indeed, her senior brother was destined for greatness.
Zhen Qin, on the other hand, didn't think that deeply. She had already started daydreaming about the Heavenly Roll Call assembly.
Who wouldn't want to be the best in the world?
Even though she wasn't qualified to compete, she yearned to know who among the cultivators in this world was the very best.
An hour later, Lu Baitian departed in a hurry, not even staying for the Spring Festival celebrations.
Gu An, meanwhile, took the three girls downstairs to join the other disciples in commemorating the festival. The valley was bustling with activity, and a market had even been set up within the Medicine Valley due to the large number of disciples in attendance.
As evening approached, Lu Lingjun returned. Despite the vast difference in cultivation levels between her and Ye Lan, no conflict arose, and since Lu Lingjun's mind was preoccupied, she didn't pay much attention to the relationship between Ye Lan and Gu An.
Gu An first returned to the Xuan Valley to drink with his disciples before heading back to the Third Medicine Valley to continue the festivities with the others.
The following morning, the guests departed, the disciples resumed their duties, and Lu Lingjun left Yaogu, flying toward the main city of the sect.
Several nights later, Gu An witnessed Lu Baitian's arrival with dozens of people from the Elder's Hall. They established an array before the Interrupted Heaven Axe to ensure their conversation remained private from the other disciples and cultivators present.
After explaining the matters concerning the Heaven Board Competition, they took the Interrupted Heaven Axe's silence as tacit approval from the Supporting Sword Immortal.
Gu An eagerly anticipated the benefits that the competition would bring, as it would allow him to purchase a large number of high-level medicinal herbs once more.
Early the next morning, Gu Zong arrived with a large group of cultivators to seek an audience with Lu Lingjun. The lowest cultivation base among these cultivators was the Crossing Void realm, and their numbers exceeded a hundred.
Lu Lingjun promptly led this group of disciples southward, while Gu Zong conversed briefly with Gu An before departing.
Gu An didn't inquire about Lu Lingjun's mission, but he surmised it had something to do with the ascenders from overseas.
One month later.
News of the Heaven Board Competition spread like wildfire throughout the cultivation world as notices were swiftly posted in all the major cities. Simultaneously, Lu Baitian dispatched invitations to various sects, taking initiative and reporting afterward.
The world was in a frenzy!
While the higher-ups of the sects criticized the audacity of Tai Xuan Gate, the cultivators of the middle and lower levels were thrilled.
Many people were curious: setting aside the Supporting Sword Immortal, who would be crowned the true number one in the world?
Due to the Supporting Sword Immortal's overwhelming strength, the cultivators of the Three Dynasties suspected he was an outsider. Consequently, the title of the strongest in the land had always been a matter of speculation.
As Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Sage toward the outer sect city, the passing disciples excitedly discussed this matter.
Yang Jian, who was closely following the Blood Prison Great Sage, felt his blood stir with excitement as well.
He wondered if he would ever earn a spot on the prestigious Heaven Board in his lifetime.
Along the way, Yang Jian noticed that Gu An greeted many people, and it seemed he had a wide network of acquaintances. Some even had their own subordinates, which only added to Yang Jian's admiration for Gu An.
That morning, Gu An had Xiao Chuan deliver a message to Yang Jian, informing him that he would be accompanying him to the outer sect city, much to Yang Jian's delight.
This meant that Gu An was truly beginning to accept him!
Yang Jian wasn't the only one who thought so; the other menial disciples shared this sentiment as well. As a result, many of them began to emulate Yang Jian, and several dozen people gathered around White Spirit Rat, much to An Xin's annoyance.
"Yang Jian, are you willing to truly become my disciple?"
Gu An's abrupt question startled the daydreaming Yang Jian, and he asked subconsciously, "What?"
Gu An glanced at him, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
"You idiot! The master is asking if you're willing to become his disciple!" The Blood Prison Great Sage spoke up, his tone mocking yet conveying his concern for Yang Jian.
Having served him for five years, Yang Jian had naturally earned a favorable impression from the Great Sage, who wanted to offer him a helping hand.
While others might not know Gu An's true cultivation level, the Blood Prison Great Sage was well aware of it.
The strongest person in Tai Xuan Gate was none other than Gu An, and he even suspected that the enigmatic Supporting Sword Immortal was also Gu An in disguise.
"Ah? Yes, I am! I am willing! Master, please accept your disciple's bow!"
Overjoyed, Yang Jian knelt down right there in the street.
The passing disciples gave him strange looks.
Unperturbed, Gu An accepted his disciple's bow. After Yang Jian knocked his head three times, he was helped back to his feet.
The Blood Prison Great Sage continued on its way, with Yang Jian following closely, his entire body trembling with excitement.
It had been five years since he joined the Third Medicine Valley, and in his heart, Gu An's stature was monumental. Although Gu An appeared to possess only a Golden Core cultivation base, the presence of a Grand Master of the Mysterious Heart realm within the valley fueled Yang Jian's imagination.
The Blood Prison Great Sage glanced at the trembling Yang Jian and suddenly felt a twinge of jealousy.
Why him?
This kid didn't seem extraordinary in the least. He was extremely average!
How could someone like this become Gu An's disciple, while he, the undefeated champion of the human world, was relegated to being his mount?
The Blood Prison Great Sage's heart was filled with conflicting emotions.
He knew that his current situation was a result of his arrogance when he first ascended and his pursuit of Li Ya and Zhang Bukou.
However, upon further reflection, he thought that even if he hadn't involved himself in that matter and had cultivated for another millennium, he might not have had the opportunity to encounter a grand cultivator like Gu An. And even if their paths had crossed, he likely would have been killed.
So, in a strange way, he considered himself fortunate.
"He can have many disciples, but if I'm his only mount, that sets me apart." The Blood Prison Great Sage's excitement grew as he rationalized his unique role.
As the saying goes, even when beating a dog, one must consider the owner...
Pui!
Disciples will come and go, but a mount is a lifelong companion!
A millennium from now, even if Gu An sets him free, he will still pledge his loyalty and declare that he will forever be Gu An's mount.
He wants Gu An to become his anchor in the Tianling Great Heaven.
The more the Blood Prison Great Sage thought about it, the more excited he became, and his bull body began to tremble with anticipation.
Gu An lowered his eyes, glancing at Yang Jian beside him, and a hint of worry crept into his heart. He hoped that Yang Jian wouldn't pick up any undesirable habits from the Blood Prison Great Sage; their mental states seemed a bit unpredictable.
Just then, a ragged old man stopped the Blood Prison Great Sage and stared at Gu An, his eyes wide as he muttered, "A calamity looms over the human world. The oceans will rise and swallow everything, heralding a catastrophe that will bring about the end of days..."
The Blood Prison Great Sage halted and regarded the old man with suspicion.
Yang Jian's gaze was also drawn to the old man.
After speaking, the old man turned and left, only to stop another passing cultivator and repeat the same ominous warning.
(End of Chapter)
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