Gu An observed the figure lingering above the ocean rift for a moment before retracting his gaze. Without understanding the intentions of this powerful entity, he had no desire to provoke them.
The Ocean Rift had existed for years without causing calamities. Gu An hoped this peaceful period would last longer, giving him more time to grow.
He picked up the latest volume of The Adventures of Green Hero from his desk. It was a newly published installment, delivered by Xuan Tianyi through an intermediary. Though he had read it multiple times, each reading offered a fresh perspective.
Xuan Tianyi, despite his carefree and arrogant demeanor, had a meticulous mind, especially when writing female characters.
As night fell, Yang Jian approached the Blood Prison Saint. He hesitated, unable to find the words he wanted to say.
The Blood Prison Saint stood up, flicked his tail, and said, "Follow me," before striding off with his hefty bovine figure swaying.
Yang Jian sighed and muttered to himself, "Fine, I'll humor him. Maybe if I make him happy, he'll stop pestering me so much." With that, his mood lightened, and he followed.
The two ventured deep into a grove a dozen miles away. The sparse woods echoed with the chirping of insects, creating a serene yet eerie ambiance.
The Blood Prison Saint turned to face Yang Jian, his gaze sharp. Without warning, he began circulating his spiritual energy. In an instant, his crimson fur shimmered as though ablaze, resembling flickering blood flames. A fierce aura erupted from his body, shaking the air around them.
"Huh?"
Yang Jian's eyes widened in shock, and his previously lax demeanor transformed into full attention.
This presence…
Could this lazy bull truly know something extraordinary?
The Blood Prison Saint let out a low growl, a sound that exploded in Yang Jian's ears like a thunderclap, causing his head to buzz and his thoughts to scatter.
It took Yang Jian a long moment to recover. When he regained clarity, he looked at the Blood Prison Saint with newfound awe. The bull's fierce aura remained, and under the dim starlight, it looked downright terrifying.
Yang Jian's gaze heated up with excitement.
Lifting his head high, the Blood Prison Saint declared, "This is the secret art of the Blood Prison Divine Technique, known as the Blood Prison Roar. At the foundational level, it can confuse the enemy's mind during battle. Once perfected, it can kill with a single shout."
"Something this powerful? Teach me! Teach me now!" Yang Jian's entire being seemed to ignite. His view of the Blood Prison Saint underwent a dramatic transformation.
The Blood Prison Saint smirked smugly. "Mastering the Blood Prison Roar isn't easy. Are you prepared to endure hardship?"
"I'm not afraid of any hardship!" Yang Jian declared firmly.
The Blood Prison Saint grinned widely, but under Gu An's watchful divine sense, the bull's smile seemed rather sinister.
This bull… was he scheming something?
Autumn passed into winter, and spring came once again.
In the Third Medicine Valley, preparations for the Spring Festival were underway. That day, Wu Jue arrived for a visit. However, since Gu An was absent, Wu Jue could only wander the valley aimlessly.
As he strolled, he noticed Yang Jian—whom he remembered as the small disciple who had once guided him—now hauling water buckets. Curious, he walked over and asked with a smile, "Little brother, aren't you a cultivator? Why are you carrying water yourself?"
Yang Jian looked up and his eyes lit up upon seeing Wu Jue. He hadn't forgotten Wu Jue's godlike agility that day.
"It's… part… of… our… training…" Yang Jian replied, his voice hoarse and broken, each word coming out slowly and painfully.
Wu Jue frowned. "What happened to your voice?"
Yang Jian rubbed his throat and said, "Practicing… a technique…"
Wu Jue shook his head, chuckling softly as he patted Yang Jian's shoulder before walking away.
The reason Wu Jue remembered Yang Jian was because Gu An had specifically asked him about his impression of the boy before Wu Jue left last time. Knowing Gu An's keen eye for talent, Wu Jue had developed a passing interest in Yang Jian.
However, seeing Yang Jian's lackluster progress over the years, Wu Jue concluded that the boy's talent was indeed ordinary.
Yang Jian, of course, was unaware of Wu Jue's thoughts. Just being noticed and spoken to by someone as incredible as Wu Jue was enough to fill him with joy.
Wu Jue continued his leisurely exploration of the valley.
Half an hour later, he finally sensed Gu An's presence. Turning toward the source, he frowned slightly.
Gu An wasn't alone—he was accompanied by two women.
"Where's Shen Zhen?" Wu Jue muttered in confusion. He had always assumed that Gu An and Shen Zhen shared mutual feelings for each other. But seeing Gu An laughing and chatting with the two women, he couldn't help but feel dissatisfied.
Gu An, are you betraying Shen Zhen?
Gu An descended gracefully alongside Ye Lan and Zhen Qin. The two women, curious about the Third Medicine Valley, asked endless questions, which Gu An patiently answered with a smile.
As they landed, Wu Jue approached them, his eyes narrowing as he pointed at Zhen Qin and asked, "Gu An, who is this?"
His tone was sharp, catching Zhen Qin off guard as she glanced at him in confusion.
Wu Jue recognized Ye Lan as Gu An's junior sister, but Zhen Qin clinging to Gu An's arm and acting coquettishly struck him as improper.
Zhen Qin's eyes lit up with recognition. "You must be Wu Jue!"
Ye Lan nodded with a smile. "Yes, this is Wu Jue, the Tai Xuan Sect's recently famed core disciple."
Looking at Wu Jue, Ye Lan couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia.
She had first met Wu Jue during the Golden Rankings Tournament, introduced by Gu An. Back then, while Wu Jue had impressed her, she hadn't expected him to achieve such renown in just a few short years.
"Why is it that there are always prodigies around Senior Brother?" Ye Lan thought to herself, watching the growing crowd of talents Gu An seemed to attract.
Gu An smiled, gesturing toward Zhen Qin, "This is my disciple, Zhen Qin. Come, let's talk inside."
Hearing this, Wu Jue's expression softened, though he still asked, "When will Shen Zhen arrive?"
He had always believed that Gu An and Shen Zhen were a destined pair.
Gu An casually replied, "How should I know when she'll come?"
Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin glanced between Gu An and Wu Jue, a thoughtful look flashing across her face.
As the group made their way toward the pavilion, Zhen Qin eagerly engaged Wu Jue with a series of questions, her enthusiasm catching him off guard. Before they could reach the building, a figure streaked through the sky, swiftly landing near them.
Gu An inwardly sighed. "This is trouble."
"Shen Zhen!" Wu Jue exclaimed, his tone filled with joy as he waved enthusiastically.
Ye Lan and Zhen Qin turned to look at the newcomer. Shen Zhen descended gracefully, her flowing white dress complemented by a delicate veil. She exuded an ethereal aura, like a goddess descended to the mortal realm.
Shen Zhen landed beside Zhen Qin, offering Wu Jue a faint smile. "It's been a long time, Wu Jue."
Having spent most of her time in seclusion, Shen Zhen was unaware of Wu Jue's recent fame. Her curious gaze shifted toward Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, silently observing them.
Gu An maintained a composed demeanor and began introducing the women to one another. While the atmosphere seemed harmonious, Gu An could sense an undercurrent of tension between them.
Unexpectedly, another voice chimed in. "Well, well, Gu An, it seems you're surrounded by beauties!"
The cheerful voice belonged to You Yingying, who suddenly appeared with a mischievous grin. Her interest was piqued after overhearing the conversation from afar. Seeing the three women circling Gu An, with Wu Jue awkwardly standing aside, she felt like she had stumbled upon an entertaining drama.
Gu An's face darkened. "Don't spout nonsense!"
Ye Lan glanced at You Yingying, tilting her head slightly. "And who might you be?"
So, Senior Brother wasn't exaggerating after all. Many female disciples truly admired him!
You Yingying grinned unabashedly. "I'm You Yingying. I just help out here in the valley. You know, running errands for Gu An." Her tone was lighthearted, though it was clear that her casual address of Gu An hinted at a closer relationship than mere errands.
Unfazed, You Yingying added, "Oh, by the way, I heard that Senior Lu might be returning for the festival."
Gu An responded calmly, "Let her come if she wants."
Ye Lan squinted at Gu An. "Senior Lu… is she a man or a woman?"
You Yingying smirked. "A woman, of course! Lu Lingjun, haven't you heard of her? She's a renowned Nascent Soul cultivator of the Tai Xuan Sect!"
Hearing this, both Ye Lan and Zhen Qin's expressions changed. Lu Lingjun was a name that carried significant weight. They had never expected her to have any connection with Gu An.
Shen Zhen's eyes curved into crescents as she watched You Yingying with a newfound appreciation. What a troublemaker. I like her!
Gu An, sensing the precarious situation, quickly grabbed Ye Lan's hand and led her toward the pavilion. "This is her first visit to the valley. I should attend to her."
Ye Lan's cheeks flushed slightly at the gesture. Zhen Qin quickly followed, her demeanor triumphant, as though she had won a victory. She even cast a smug glance at You Yingying.
You Yingying glared at Zhen Qin before turning on her heel and leaving. Shen Zhen, on the other hand, silently trailed behind the group, her thoughts unreadable.
Wu Jue remained rooted in place, watching the trio walk away. After a moment of contemplation, he decided against following. If they start fighting, I'll step in to protect Gu An.
With a sigh, he muttered, "No wonder Gu An isn't focused on cultivation. He's busy dealing with all these women. Truly, as Master said, women are the greatest obstacle on the path to immortality—a cultivator's inner demons."
Shaking his head, he wandered off to continue exploring the valley.
Once inside the pavilion, Gu An poured tea for the three women.
Ye Lan began chatting with Shen Zhen, showcasing the social grace she had honed during her years in the Law Enforcement Hall. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by occasional laughter. To an outsider, they might appear as close friends.
Gu An took a seat, only to have Shen Zhen address him with a question. "After Journey to the West, will you write more stories? I'd love to read about Sun Wukong's life after becoming the Victorious Fighting Buddha."
Both Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, already aware of Gu An's secret identity as Pan An, turned their curious gazes toward him, eager for his answer.
Zhen Qin couldn't help but marvel internally. Master may be an average cultivator, but his literary talent is unmatched.
At this point, Gu An no longer cared that his authorial identity was an open secret. With his increasing cultivation strength, he felt capable of protecting himself. Casually, he replied, "No, I'm focusing on other pursuits for now."
Shen Zhen looked slightly disappointed but continued to praise Journey to the West, lauding its depth and the subtle critiques it seemed to make. Her observations piqued Ye Lan's interest, and soon, the two began discussing the story in earnest. Zhen Qin, meanwhile, gazed at Gu An with admiration. She hadn't realized just how influential Journey to the West had become, even surpassing Investiture of the Gods in popularity.
Half an hour later, a new visitor arrived at the valley, much to Gu An's relief.
It was Lü Baitian!
Upon entering, Lü Baitian's imposing presence immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room. Ye Lan and Zhen Qin quickly stood and bowed, recognizing him as the Tai Xuan Sect's esteemed master. As true disciples, they were no strangers to his authority.
Shen Zhen also offered a respectful bow, her etiquette flawless.
Lü Baitian's expression was calm as he addressed the group. "Why don't you three take a walk outside? I have some matters to discuss with Gu An."
Internally, he couldn't help but chuckle. This kid's luck with women rivals my own in my younger days.
Unable to resist her curiosity, Zhen Qin asked, "Sect Master, are you very familiar with my master?"
Lü Baitian looked at her with amusement. Seeing that she was Gu An's disciple, he answered with a smile. "Of course. He's the successor I've chosen to be the next Sect Master. The Golden Rankings Tournament, the World's First Sword Dao Tournament, and even the Alchemy Conference—all those events were his ideas. From now on, you can call me your grandmaster."
The room fell into stunned silence as his words sank in.
Gu An inwardly groaned. Why did he have to say that?
Even Shen Zhen appeared surprised. She had known about Gu An's close relationship with Lü Baitian but hadn't expected him to hold Gu An in such high regard.
Seeing Gu An's strained expression, Lü Baitian chuckled. "Forget it. You don't have to leave. Stay and listen."
The three women quickly thanked him and resumed their seats, though the way they looked at Gu An left him feeling increasingly uneasy.