Since the appearance of the Mysterious Clear Tree, the White Spirit Mouse spent most of its time napping beneath it. Rarely did it venture out, and when it did, it would disappear for days at a time, leaving Xiao Chun constantly worried.
Led by An Xin, Xiao Chun made his way to the Mysterious Clear Tree.
There, the White Spirit Mouse lay on its back with its belly exposed to the sun.
Xiao Chun crouched down and gently stroked its soft belly, eliciting an expression of pure bliss from the mouse.
Standing behind him, An Xin couldn't help but comment, "Uncle Xiao Chun, you're way too indulgent with it. After running off for so long, shouldn't you at least scold it?"
She couldn't stand the lazy and smug demeanor of the White Spirit Mouse. If it weren't for the fact that its owner was Gu An, she might have taught it a lesson already.
"Don't underestimate it," Xiao Chun replied with a chuckle. "It's also known as a Treasure-Seeking Mouse. If it rarely ventures out, it's likely looking for something valuable when it does."
Hearing this, An Xin crouched down beside him, her curiosity piqued as she observed the mouse more closely.
The White Spirit Mouse, noticing her gaze, abruptly opened its tiny eyes wide. Suddenly, it spat out a bead directly at An Xin.
She was caught completely off guard. The bead struck her face and dissolved into liquid, seeping into her skin before she could react.
The whole sequence happened so quickly that An Xin let out a startled scream, jumping to her feet and frantically touching her face. Xiao Chun was equally alarmed, frozen in shock.
The White Spirit Mouse, meanwhile, let out a satisfied squeak and scurried behind the tree.
Hearing the commotion, Gu An and several other disciples rushed over.
"Don't move. Let me take a look," Gu An said calmly.
Hearing his voice, An Xin immediately felt reassured. She lowered her trembling hands.
Everyone leaned in to examine her closely. Other than her flushed cheeks from the shock, her face appeared unharmed.
After a quick inspection, Gu An instructed Xiao Chun to fetch Lu Lingjun.
In truth, Gu An could already tell that An Xin had fortuitously gained a blessing rather than being harmed, but he wanted Lu Lingjun to confirm it, ensuring the news came from her instead of himself.
Soon enough, Lu Lingjun arrived. She carefully observed An Xin and then broke into a smile. "You should thank that fat mouse of yours," she said cheerfully.
An Xin was momentarily stunned, as were the surrounding disciples, who exchanged confused glances.
From behind the tree, the White Spirit Mouse peeked out, baring its teeth at Lu Lingjun in a show of mock ferocity. However, its round and plump appearance rendered the gesture utterly non-threatening.
"Senior, do you know what that bead was?" An Xin asked nervously.
Before Lu Lingjun could reply, a figure descended swiftly from the sky. She turned to look, her expression shifting to mild annoyance.
The newcomer was a male cultivator of imposing presence, landing with practiced precision. He scanned the group before speaking in a deep voice, "Who owns that White Spirit Mouse?"
An Xin clutched her robe tightly, her anxiety evident.
Gu An stepped forward, his tone polite but firm. "It's mine. I apologize, Daoist friend. My disciple has already absorbed the bead, but I'm willing to compensate you with medicinal herbs."
An Xin looked at Gu An with gratitude, while Lu Lingjun crossed her arms, clearly amused by the unfolding drama.
The male cultivator, a Nascent Soul expert, had joined the Tai Xuan Sect only recently. His dwelling wasn't far from the Third Medicine Valley. Unfamiliar with the valley's significance, he furrowed his brow at Gu An's offer, his tone accusatory.
"Compensate with medicinal herbs? You're just the caretaker of this valley. How much can you offer? That Water Spirit Pearl was an unparalleled treasure, stolen by your White Spirit Mouse while I was away. This is unacceptable!"
Lu Lingjun chimed in, "The Water Spirit Pearl is indeed extraordinary. It enhances the affinity for water-attribute spiritual energy."
The man's frustration deepened as he glared at An Xin, making her even more uneasy.
Gu An sighed inwardly and replied, "How about twenty sixth-grade herbs as compensation?"
The man's eyes widened in shock at the generous offer. Even the disciples around them gasped. Sixth-grade herbs were incredibly valuable, and they handled such plants with utmost care. The seeds of a single sixth-grade herb were worth a fortune, often equated with a person's life.
Seeing the man hesitate, Gu An added, "This disciple of mine is An Hao's younger sister. She lacks talent and is merely residing here temporarily. If you let this matter go, An Hao will surely remember your kindness."
"An Hao? Which An Hao?" the man asked, his expression skeptical.
Gu An smiled faintly. "The same An Hao who tops the Golden Rankings."
The disciples showed no reaction; this was common knowledge to them. An Xin, however, looked as if she wanted to say something but refrained.
The man's face shifted between emotions before he cleared his throat. "Very well. On account of An Hao, I'll accept your offer of twenty sixth-grade herbs. But watch that mouse of yours from now on."
"Thank you for your generosity. Allow me to lead you to the herbs," Gu An said smoothly, guiding the man away.
As the two departed, the disciples broke into murmured discussions.
Xiao Chun stayed behind to console An Xin. Though she didn't feel wronged, she was deeply embarrassed. Gaining such a fortuitous opportunity had inadvertently caused trouble for both Gu An and An Hao, leaving her feeling guilty.
Lu Lingjun scoffed. "That brat has guts. He didn't even let me step in to help."
As a member of the Elder's Hall, Lu Lingjun's word alone could have sent the man scurrying away.
Her admiration for Gu An grew.
Despite his connections—being sworn brothers with Xuan Tianyi and close to the Sect Master—Gu An had chosen not to rely on his relationships. Instead, he opted for sincere compensation, showcasing an uncommon sense of responsibility and humility.
It was a quality that was truly rare and admirable.
After a single incense stick's time, the male cultivator finally departed.
Gu An watched his retreating figure, a mix of emotions swirling in his heart.
Was this fate's ironic twist?
If Xiao Chun hadn't treated the White Spirit Mouse so well, would the mouse have spat the bead at him instead?
The Grand Lecture Assembly led by Xuan Tianyi unfolded as scheduled. Gu An brought along An Xin and Xiao Chun to the Inner Gate City to listen. Although Gu An himself felt little impact from the teachings, both An Xin and Xiao Chun greatly benefited, as did the rest of the Inner Gate disciples.
By the end of the event, Xuan Tianyi's prestige had grown immensely, surpassing even that of the Sect Master. He became a figure of universal reverence within the Tai Xuan Sect.
At the start of summer, Xuan Tianyi headed to the borderlands, where he slew a Mahayana Realm Demon King and three Profound Heart Realm Demon Kings. His name resonated across the Five Dynasties, solidifying his position as the strongest under heaven—though some still held that the Sword Master of Dao was superior.
As for Dao Monarch of the Cangtian Sect, he remained silent and unseen since his return.
Xuan Tianyi's decisive actions not only struck fear into the demon lands but also reignited hope among the common people.
Two years passed in the blink of an eye.
Gu An's lifespan now exceeded 2.5 million years. Despite his cultivation, he maintained his occasional excursions to the mortal world.
During one such visit, he learned that the people referred to him as the "Green Hero." For a moment, he was utterly dumbfounded.
What was this absurdity?
That evening, Jiang Qiong prepared to leave. She had her own plans, and Gu An knew better than to try to dissuade her. He could only wish her safety on her journey.
Once outside the Tai Xuan Sect's domain, Jiang Qiong moved through the wilderness, her dark robes blending seamlessly with the shadows, making her appear like a phantom.
Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks, her brows furrowing deeply.
Her gaze focused on a shadowy figure up ahead, and her heart skipped a beat.
Demonic Shadow Technique!
Was there truly a master from the Thousand Autumn Pavilion nearby?
Wait!
Near Tai Xuan Sect, who could wield the Demonic Shadow Technique?
Jiang Qiong immediately retrieved her artifact, preparing for a confrontation.
"You believe you could resist me if I wished to kill you?" a cold, raspy voice emanated from the shadows ahead.
Jiang Qiong took a deep breath and steadied herself. "Might I inquire… are you the Sword Master of Dao?"
The shadowed figure, unmoved, tossed a command medallion at her feet. Jiang Qiong instinctively stepped back instead of catching it, lowering her gaze to study the medallion.
The characters for "Thousand Autumn Pavilion" etched on its surface caused her expression to shift dramatically.
"You're from the Thousand Autumn Pavilion? That's impossible!" Jiang Qiong exclaimed, incredulous.
The Sword Master of Dao, the one who once eradicated the Thousand Autumn Pavilion, was now its master?
The shadowed figure, Gu An, spoke evenly. "This is the Master's Medallion of the Thousand Autumn Pavilion. From now on, you are my envoy and will manage the pavilion in my stead. You may do as you see fit, but the pavilion is forbidden from engaging in evil acts."
Hearing this, Jiang Qiong suddenly understood.
The Sword Master must have taken over the pavilion after its downfall, intending to reform it from within.
Relief swept over her.
As long as the Sword Master remained righteous, there was no need to fear.
"Why me?" Jiang Qiong asked.
"You've resided in the Tai Xuan Sect for over a century, frequently entering and leaving its grounds. I noticed you once on the Nine Nether Path and later when you returned to the sect. Despite your history, you've never harmed its disciples, which suggests that you're not inherently evil. Perhaps the sect holds someone dear to you, or maybe you're evading old enemies," Gu An said with indifference.
Jiang Qiong's face paled, her eyes turning icy.
Was this a veiled threat against Gu An?
"None of that matters," Gu An continued. "What does matter is whether you're willing to manage the Thousand Autumn Pavilion. With this medallion, even figures like the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother or the Nine Nether Thirteen Fiends will obey you. You'll have the authority to act freely."
Jiang Qiong inhaled sharply. "To be honest, I've made enemies of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm…"
"That's one of the reasons I chose you," Gu An replied.
"What?"
Shock flashed across Jiang Qiong's face as she stared at him.
The moonlight filtering through the leaves illuminated her figure, but Gu An remained hidden in the shadows.
Three months later, Jiang Qiong returned.
Autumn had set in, and the nights carried a gentle chill.
Gu An and Jiang Qiong met within the Eight Views Heavenly Cave.
"Grand-disciple, I've returned to bid you farewell," Jiang Qiong said softly, gazing up at the Mysterious Clear Tree.
Feigning confusion, Gu An asked, "Where are you going?"
A faint smile graced Jiang Qiong's lips. "I've had time to reflect and realized that hiding in the shadows isn't a solution. It could even bring harm to you. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm may be powerful, but they are not invincible. I intend to establish my own force and climb the ranks myself."
Gu An hesitated, a range of emotions flickering across his face.
Catching this, Jiang Qiong felt amused and continued, "With the impending calamity of demons and monsters, chaos will abound, and opportunities will flourish. Perhaps in a century, I'll return to the Tai Xuan Sect openly. When that time comes, I'll expect you to receive me."
Gu An asked solemnly, "Must you fight for this?"
"In the cultivation world, those who don't fight are destined to be trampled. Even within the Tai Xuan Sect, your current peace is not guaranteed. What will you do if someone tries to take over your achievements in the Medicine Valley?"
Gu An fell silent, unable to refute her.
Jiang Qiong chuckled at his expression. "If you won't fight, then I'll fight on your behalf. Rest assured, as long as I live, you will always have a safe haven in this world—unless I perish."
Her words struck a chord, and Gu An's gaze softened, moved by her sincerity.
Satisfied with his reaction, Jiang Qiong added, "According to my sources, the great calamity of demons and monsters is about to fully erupt. Prepare yourself for this rare catastrophe—it only happens once every ten thousand years."