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Chapter 282: The Cultivator, Gu An
Chapter 282: The Cultivator, Gu An
It had been two years since Li Ya and Zhang Buku's encounter.
During these two years, the ocean continued to churn with wind and clouds, countless cultivators and monsters invading the Great Rift in the sea. The battles there never ceased, with some breaking through due to fate and others falling in regret.
The TaiXuan Gate, however, remained peaceful, with most of the disciples diligently working on their cultivation.
Life in the Medicine Valley was even more tranquil.
On this day, Gu An arrived early at the Xuan Valley, waiting for someone.
As noon approached, Li Ya, dressed in black, descended from the sky and landed below the pavilion. This time, he didn't climb through the window but stood at the bottom of the stairs, gazing at Gu An's window without a word or a step.
The Blood Prison Great Sage, lying on the ground, watched him with a peculiar look.
The Blood Prison Great Sage could sense Li Ya's low spirits, his entire being appearing lost and disoriented.
"Brother Li, why have you come?"
Lu Jiuji quickly approached, asking in surprise.
Li Ya snapped back to reality, looked at him, and forced a smile, "I've come to see you, Brother Gu."
"He's upstairs. Usually, he doesn't spend much time in the Xuan Valley, but he stayed there all morning. It seems he was waiting for you," Lu Jiuji said, feeling a sense of empathy.
He naturally noticed Li Ya's poor state, which was why he said this.
Li Ya nodded at him and then ascended the stairs.
He reached the second floor and pushed the door open.
Gu An, sitting in a chair, put down the TaiXuan secret manual and looked at Li Ya, surprised, "Brother Li, why have you come?"
Seeing Gu An, Li Ya's eyes turned red instantly. He closed the door and walked to the table, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth.
Gu An's smile faded, and he asked anxiously, "What's wrong? What happened?"
Li Ya couldn't face Gu An's gaze because Zhang Buku had once said that Gu An was his only elder.
"Zhang Buku..." Li Ya struggled to speak.
"What happened to him?"
Gu An sprang up from his seat.
Li Ya took a deep breath and recounted Zhang Buku's fate.
After hearing the story, Gu An slumped back into his chair, his entire being lost and disoriented, making Li Ya feel even worse.
"Wait, you said he became a divine resentful ghost. So, he's still alive, right?" Gu An seemed to think of something and quickly asked.
Li Ya turned his head and replied, "He is still alive, but after becoming a divine resentful ghost, he's no longer the same. He'll become a monster that consumes living spirits, never to be free..."
Gu An countered, "Did you see him do that?"
Li Ya was taken aback and looked at him.
Gu An's face turned calm, "Buku has suffered a lot since he was young, carrying half-demon blood, rejected by both races. But he's come this far. Why can't he turn this crisis into a blessing?"
"But..."
"Brother, this has nothing to do with you. He chose to venture into the Great Rift on his own. Don't bear too much pressure. And I truly believe he can turn this crisis into a blessing."
"Brother Gu, I..."
"Look at you. If Buku saw you, he would laugh. You're brothers who have shared life and death. Do you want to die with him? You must believe in him. He will surely turn this crisis into a blessing. If you don't cultivate well, you might fall behind him. Throughout history, great calamity has always been followed by great fortune. Don't underestimate him."
Gu An smiled, his face showing a look of anticipation.
Li Ya understood that Gu An was trying to comfort him, but he couldn't help but think, what if Zhang Buku really could turn this crisis into a blessing?
Gu An made him sit down and asked about his experiences over the years.
Li Ya began to recount his life over the years, with Gu An occasionally interjecting questions. The more he did so, the more ashamed Li Ya felt.
Zhang Buku was dead, and the pain in Brother Gu's heart must be no less than his, especially since Gu An also bore the burden of Zhang Chunqiu's friendship.
Yet, even so, Gu An still comforted him.
A divine spirit appeared on Li Ya's shoulder at some point, watching Gu An and winking quietly. Li Ya didn't notice this.
The two brothers chatted for a long time.
It wasn't until dusk that Li Ya stood up, looking at Gu An, "I've returned to tell you this. Thank you, Brother Gu. I won't give up hope. I will cultivate harder and rescue Zhang Buku as soon as possible!"
His face was determined, his eyes burning with resolve.
Gu An naturally encouraged him.
Thus, Li Ya left. He didn't climb the window but walked down the stairs, and Gu An didn't see him off.
Li Ya stopped in front of the Blood Prison Great Sage, turning to look at him, "Ox, I swear I won't let anyone I care about fall into danger again. I will protect my master well!"
With that, he leaped into the sky and disappeared at the horizon.
The Blood Prison Great Sage rolled his eyes, muttering, "What's wrong with your head? Who's protecting who? And why are you telling me? Am I your father?"
...
A month after Li Ya's departure, someone else returned.
It was Shenxinzi, heading toward the Third Medicine Valley.
He stopped at the valley's entrance, gazing at the scene inside, where some were sweeping, some watering and loosening the soil, some playing chess and painting, and others playing and laughing.
Everything seemed so harmonious.
For some reason, as soon as he returned, Shenxinzi felt an inexplicable relief, the gloom in his heart dissipating.
He took a deep breath and stepped into the valley.
Soon, he saw You Yingying, who also spotted him and instinctively tried to avoid him. But he transmitted a sound to her, making her stop in her tracks.
Shen Xinzi approached You Yingying, his expression serious.
You Yingying, nervous, asked, "What do you want? I haven't harmed anyone!"
Shen Xinzi closed his eyes and said, "Amitabha, Sir, I have come to apologize to you. I was indeed rash and too quick to judge before. Everyone in this world can criticize you, but I cannot. I am sorry, and I will not trouble you again."
He clasped his hands together and bowed in apology.
You Yingying was stunned, feeling very confused.
Before she could ask, Shen Xinzi turned and left.
You Yingying watched his back, muttering to herself, "What has he been through these years? Why does he seem so affected?"
She had always been afraid of Shen Xinzi, but after hearing his words, she felt a strange sense of sympathy for him, rather than relief for herself.
She shook her head, not wanting to think about it anymore.
No matter what, she had to stay away from this monk. What if he went crazy again?
Shen Xinzi arrived at the chess area, where dozens of people were still gathered. He noticed that Master Gu An was also there. They nodded at each other, acknowledging each other's presence.
Then, they stood at the back of the crowd and watched the game.
Suddenly, Shen Xinzi thought of something and looked at Gu An. He stepped closer to Gu An and whispered, "Master, could I borrow a moment of your time?"
Gu An glanced at him and nodded.
"Let's talk in my room," Gu An said.
Shen Xinzi's willingness to sacrifice himself to save Li Ya and the entire city had changed Gu An's opinion of him.
This monk, though stubborn, was truly brave when it mattered, truly caring for the people, not just talking about it.
The nine-fingered divine lord, who was playing chess, noticed their presence and smirked, then continued the game, muttering, "You really play a terrible game. Even a peasant child outside the Great Immortal Sect would play better than this. No, even a water buffalo could do better!"
The Blood Prison Great Sage, hearing this, felt a surge of anger but restrained himself.
Because Gu An had said that the nine-fingered divine lord was a celestial being, just hiding his cultivation.
"Keep playing, you continue. Better not to cultivate anymore. Once I reveal my cultivation, I'll make you my mount, turning you into a toad!" The Blood Prison Great Sage thought to himself. Imagining this, he felt quite pleased.
On the other side, Gu An led Shen Xinzi upstairs.
Shen Xinzi closed the door.
Gu An asked him to sit and began to brew tea.
While waiting, Shen Xinzi looked around the room and noticed how many books there were, including his favorite Journey to the West.
The presence of Journey to the West made him feel more favorably towards Gu An.
Gu An placed a cup of hot tea in front of him, then sat down and asked with a smile, "What brings you here, Daoist friend?"
Shen Xinzi took a deep breath and said, "Sir, it's like this: I have a good friend who hates evil and has dedicated his life to slaying demons and saving the world, but then he suddenly discovered that he was a reincarnated demon. What should he do, you say?"
Classic "I have a friend."
Gu An pondered and said, "Is the relationship between past and present life so significant? Is there any sin that cannot be washed away by the cycle of rebirth? Why should he be so troubled? Why not just continue on the path he believes in?"
"But he is truly a demon..."
"So what? Are all demons absolutely evil, and are all humans absolutely good? Daoist friend, if that's the case, I have a few words for you. For monks who claim to have seen through the illusions of the world, how can you be so attached to appearances?"
Gu An began to lecture Shen Xinzi eloquently.
His love for teaching was activated!
Shen Xinzi did not get angry but listened attentively.
Gu An, who could invent chess, was clearly a man of extraordinary insight. Shen Xinzi had talked with Gu An before and felt that this person had a very open-minded view of life, his realm of being a person was definitely higher than his own.
Cultivation was not just about enhancing one's powers!
Gu An spoke for a long time, feeling refreshed and invigorated when he finished.
Regardless of whether Shen Xinzi had taken it in, he felt satisfied with his criticism.
Shen Xinzi was deep in thought and said, "Lay down the butcher's knife, and one can immediately become a Buddha?"
Gu An said impatiently, "How can that be possible? That would be cheating! Sins need to be washed away by good deeds. Besides, your friend has not committed any sins in this life and has even saved many people, hasn't he?"
Shen Xinzi nodded, and the frown that had been on his face finally relaxed.
He began to think deeply.
Gu An did not disturb him and took out a book to read.
Silence enveloped the room.
After a full half an hour, Shen Xinzi stood up, bowed to Gu An, and said, "Amitabha, thank you, Sir, for helping me dispel my confusion."
Gu An waved his hand and said, "There's no need to thank me. If you truly want to thank me, then find some time to guide the disciples in my valley in their cultivation."
Shen Xinzi did not refuse, feeling deeply moved. Gu An was truly a high-ranking Daoist, always thinking of others.
He asked, "Sir, I see you have many books in your room. Could you recommend one for me to read?"
Gu An, upon hearing this, looked around.
Shen Xinzi said, "Why don't you lend me the book you're holding to ponder? How about that?"
Gu An's face changed, and he immediately closed the secret manual of the Great Mystic Sect, saying, "This one won't do!"
Third update!
(End of Chapter)
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