Chapter 72: The Reincarnation of a Supreme Being, The Name of Gu An
Li Ya also silently noted the name, vowing to defeat Lü Xian at the Hundred Clans Conference and prove his own talent.
That night, the Third Medicine Valley was lively, with Elder Tian in a particularly talkative mood, laughing often.
At dawn, Li Ya bid farewell to Gu An.
"I\'m off. Wait and see—I’ll be renowned across the land!"
Watching Li Ya\'s retreating figure, Gu An couldn\'t help but feel a bit envious of his energy and fighting spirit. Unlike himself, who overanalyzed everything and was always cautious, Li Ya radiated youthful vitality.
However, recalling Li Ya\'s battered state after his last bout, Gu An\'s lips curled up into a smile.
Envy is fine, but not imitation!
After Li Ya left, the disciples of the Third Medicine Valley returned to their daily tasks. With the valley expanding, constant patrols were necessary.Gu An, after inspecting the gardens in Xuan Valley, flew toward Horizon Valley. Along the way, he discreetly infused five years of his lifespan into his cultivation, then resumed his journey.
Upon arriving at Horizon Valley, he entered through its mouth and walked along the hillside, soon spotting Yi Liuyun and Lü Xian sparring.
Lü Xian, dressed in a red robe with flowing hair, could easily be mistaken for a woman at first glance. He wielded a gourd-shaped fan, effortlessly countering Yi Liuyun\'s sword techniques. The two moved gracefully through the air, locked in an evenly matched contest.
Yi Liuyun had suppressed his cultivation; otherwise, Lü Xian wouldn\'t have stood a chance.
Gu An couldn\'t resist using his lifespan analysis on Lü Xian again.
【Lü Xian (Foundation Establishment Stage, Level 1): 75/480/4900】
"Foundation Establishment at thirty, but no breakthroughs in the next forty-five years?" Gu An mused.
If not for the astounding 4,900-year maximum lifespan displayed, Gu An would find it hard to believe that Lü Xian was the Taixuan Sect\'s top prodigy.
Apart from Ji Xiaoyu, who possessed an innate Dao Sigil, Lü Xian\'s maximum lifespan was the most impressive human potential Gu An had ever seen.
Lü Xian showed no signs of injury—could he have cultivated a special technique like Wu Xin?
Sun Da, Sun Er, and Sun San—the three monkey demons—hurried over to Gu An with delight. They were fond of him because he always brought them treats, and despite being captured by Luo Hun, he never treated them with disdain.
"This is a fifth-grade spirit fruit. You each get one. No fighting," Gu An said, placing three watermelon-sized crimson fruits on the ground for them to choose.
Leaving the monkeys to their snacks, Gu An headed to a nearby garden, ready for another day of harvesting. With his growing medicine valley, there were daily opportunities for collection, and he thoroughly enjoyed this life.
Once his harvesting was complete, Yi Liuyun and Lü Xian ended their sparring. Landing on the ground, Yi Liuyun began critiquing Lü Xian\'s performance, while the latter displayed humility.
"Senior Yi, when will you undergo your tribulation? I’m looking forward to seeing you challenge the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path," Lü Xian asked earnestly, his tone serious, as though he genuinely believed Yi Liuyun could win.
Yi Liuyun hesitated. "In at most six months, I’ll undergo my tribulation at the Taixuan Sect’s Tribulation Valley. As for challenging the Sword Sovereign...we’ll see."
After visiting the Heavenly Mending Platform, Yi Liuyun had abandoned thoughts of competing with the Sword Sovereign.
The gap was too vast.
Faced with such unparalleled sword intent, he couldn\'t summon even a shred of fighting spirit.
Lü Xian raised an eyebrow, his delicate features lighting up with anticipation. "You should try! What if you win? Once you reach the Void Transformation Stage, your sword intent will naturally evolve. You might have a chance. Even if you lose, being the first to challenge the Sword Sovereign will still make you famous."
Passing by, Gu An felt an urge to retort.
Lü Xian was truly something else. After arriving at Horizon Valley, he had encouraged Luo Hun to challenge the Taixuan Sect\'s top spear user and the three monkey demons to confront nearby third-rank beasts.
And this wasn’t an occasional thing. If he came across someone, he would start persuading them.
If he were truly battle-hungry, Li Ya wouldn\'t have never heard of him.
"I’ll think about it," Yi Liuyun replied, frowning.
Spotting Gu An, Lü Xian immediately approached and threw an arm around his shoulder, smiling warmly. "Valley Master, I have a feeling you’re not simple. Why not aim for the position of National Advisor? I can teach you spells—just name it!"
Gu An replied calmly, "I’ve said this countless times: I want nothing but to grow flowers and herbs."
"Impossible. Every person has a name they wish to earn!"
"And what name do you want?"
"Naturally, the title of \'Number One Under Heaven.\'"
"Then why not spend less time persuading others and more time cultivating?"
"I don\'t need cultivation; I\'ll become invincible sooner or later."
"Impressive," Gu An replied, struggling not to laugh.
Talk about bragging! Claiming invincibility in front of me?
Suddenly, an idea struck Gu An, and he smiled slyly. "I heard you\'re joining the Hundred Clans Conference. If you take the champion\'s title, I\'ll learn your spells."
"Really?"
"Really."
"I wasn’t planning to participate, but since you said that, just wait and see. I’ll leave tomorrow."
With that, Lü Xian turned and walked toward his quarters. Gu An watched his retreating figure, completely unable to figure this man out.
Yi Liuyun approached and used voice transmission to say, "Don’t provoke him too much. Ever since he reached Foundation Establishment, he’s prone to falling into dreams when he cultivates. One time he dreamed he was an emperor, another time a sword sovereign ruling the mortal world, and even a demon emperor. According to him, he reaches the pinnacle of the mortal realm in every lifetime."
What kind of condition is this? Could he be the reincarnation of a supreme being?
Gu An suddenly didn\'t dare underestimate Lü Xian. One in ten thousand might actually turn out to be true—perhaps this man really had an extraordinary origin.
The next morning, Lü Xian left early before Gu An departed, leaving him even more curious about the Hundred Clans Conference.
The Hidden Dragon Ranking was a competition for geniuses under a hundred years old. Who would take the top spot among Zhou Tongyou, Ji Xiaoyu, Li Ya, and Lü Xian?
Before Lü Xian’s return, Gu An resolved to raise his cultivation to the ninth level of the Integration Stage.
He would compete with these geniuses quietly, not in talent, but in growth speed!
By the time Gu An returned to Xuan Valley, it was already noon. He sensed a familiar presence waiting in his pavilion.
Along the way, he greeted Wu Xin before heading upstairs.
Inside, he saw Ye Lan sitting at his desk, holding a book.
Oh no!
Gu An closed the door, walked over to the desk, and took the book from her hands. With a serious expression, he said, "Young women shouldn’t read this kind of book."
Since the Outer Sect calamity, Ye Lan rarely visited him, spending most of her time training outside. Now, she had been promoted to an Enforcer of the Law Hall, wielding considerable status and authority.
Ye Lan looked at Gu An with a smile. "I heard from Zhen Qin that you’re fond of reading Adventures of the Green Hero. I wanted to see what kind of books you enjoy."
"I don’t know about the Secrets of Taixuan, but don’t believe Zhen Qin’s nonsense. That’s slander. Adventures of the Green Hero was left by my master. I haven’t read it nor destroyed it. I just kept it for sentimental reasons."
"Really?"
"When have I ever lied to you, junior sister?"
"Hmph."
Ye Lan pulled a book from her storage pouch and tossed it onto the desk.
Gu An glanced at it, and his eyelid twitches violently.
Secrets of Taixuan!
How did this book become so popular?
Ye Lan looked at him intently and said in a faint voice, "Senior brother, when I saw that the protagonist of this book is named Gu An, I thought it was a coincidence. But now that I’ve skimmed Adventures of the Green Hero, I suddenly feel it’s not. Be honest—did you write Secrets of Taixuan?"
"How could that be? I don’t write books! I only like growing flowers and herbs!"
"Ha! Do you think I’d believe that now? Senior brother, I’m not saying you shouldn’t read books, but can’t you read something like Romance of the Gods or Taixuan Immortal Venerable? They’re far better for cultivating your Dao heart than these trashy novels."
"It really wasn’t me..." Gu An felt utterly wronged. Curse Shen Zhen for this!
Ye Lan suddenly stood, startling him into stepping back. But instead of striking him, she walked around the desk and adjusted his robe.
She lowered her head slightly and said softly, "Senior brother, if you truly like this kind of thing... I could look into dual cultivation techniques and accompany you..."
Gu An noticed her ears turning red.
He quickly backed away, escaping her grasp. With a stern expression, he said, "Junior sister, don’t joke around. If you keep this up, I’ll..."
Ye Lan looked up and burst into laughter, covering her mouth.
"Look at you, acting like I’m some kind of monster. Alright, no more joking. I came to talk about something serious—your disciple, Su Han." Her tone turned serious as she spoke.
Gu An frowned. "What about him?"
"Do you know his family’s sword technique, the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword?"
"I’ve heard of it. Is there something wrong with the technique?"
"Hmm, that sword technique isn’t his family’s legacy but the forbidden sword technique of the Sword Sect under the Da Yu Dynasty. It’s not allowed to be passed on. During Su Han’s training journeys, he frequently used the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword to kill enemies. Eventually, someone recognized the technique, and it caused a big stir. Word is, the Sword Sect is preparing to capture him."
"So unlucky?"
Gu An was taken aback. Even with Su Han’s mediocre talent, he’d managed to stir up something worthy of a novel protagonist?
Ye Lan nodded. "I’ve already taken Su Han into the Law Hall for protection. However, if the Sword Sect comes, the Law Hall won’t be able to shield him. After all, the Sword Sect is a major sect, and the Taixuan Sect won’t risk offending them over an outer disciple."
Gu An pondered for a moment and said, "Let me think of a way."
Ye Lan reassured him, "If it’s too troublesome, just leave him be. You can’t protect him forever. The reason I told you is that I don’t know how much he means to you. I didn’t want you to regret it later."
Gu An nodded, complimenting Ye Lan for her thoughtful consideration.
Ye Lan didn’t stay long. After she left, Gu An teleported to the Third Medicine Valley and set out to visit Shen Zhen.
If Shen Zhen dared sully his reputation, she’d have to help him.
She had previously invited him to her cave residence, so he knew where to find her.
After a stick of incense’s time, Gu An entered Shen Zhen’s cave.
"What a rare guest! It’s not often you come looking for me."
Shen Zhen smiled. Inside her cave, she wasn’t wearing her usual veil, revealing a face of stunning beauty, sweet and charming.
In her hand, she held an ink-stained brush. Following his gaze, Gu An noticed the walls were covered with sheets of paper.
This...
Why was she drawing?
Quickly averting his eyes, Gu An said, "My disciple has run into trouble. It involves the Sword Sect of the Da Yu Dynasty. Can you help?"
"The Sword Sect? No problem. They have to give Dao Tian Sect face!" Shen Zhen replied confidently, her tone brimming with grandeur.
Gu An recounted the situation in detail.
Shen Zhen frowned, hesitating. "This might be a bit of a problem..."