After Buddha Immortal departed, Zhang Buku could no longer find peace within his heart. He continued cultivating within the Blood Lake, yet his mind remained plagued by an agonizing dilemma.
Three days later, Zhang Buku made his decision. He could only apologize in his heart to his martial uncle Gu An—he could not repay the debt he owed him.
"Buddha Immortal, come out! I agree to your terms, now release him immediately!" Zhang Buku gritted his teeth as he spoke. He felt that repaying Gu An's kindness was a distant, uncertain goal, but saving Shen Yi Realm Lord was an opportunity right before him.
The moment his words fell, a gust of wind descended from the sky. Buddha Immortal appeared instantly, materializing in front of Zhang Buku. This time, his floating posture was lower than before, though Zhang Buku failed to notice this detail.
Buddha Immortal looked at Zhang Buku and smiled. "No need to rush. I've changed my mind. I will not kill him, nor will I force you to inherit the Heavenly Dao's divine position. To tell you the truth, I never possessed the so-called Heavenly Dao position in the first place. The reason I've been hiding here is that I abandoned it. The Heavenly Dao does not tolerate such things. Before, I wanted to seize your body and live on through you."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Buku's face darkened with rage. Anyone would be furious after being toyed with, but for Zhang Buku, who had spent three agonizing days in an internal struggle to make this choice, the pain was even deeper—like a blade twisting in his heart. And now…
Seeing Zhang Buku's fury, Buddha Immortal quickly added, "Regardless, he will live. I have truly changed my mind. I now genuinely intend to cultivate you. This outcome is far better than what you initially expected."
Zhang Buku stared coldly at Buddha Immortal, his eyes filled with distrust.
Buddha Immortal inwardly cursed his own misfortune, but thinking of that terrifying existence who had forced his hand, he had no choice but to continue explaining. "I have performed a divination. Even if I were to seize your body, my fate may not end well. However, your destiny is extraordinary, so I have decided to teach you with all my power. If, in the future, you attain a realm beyond my reach, I hope that you will return and save me."
Hearing these words, Zhang Buku furrowed his brows, caught between skepticism and hesitation.
Buddha Immortal sighed. "From my perspective, I could wait for tens of thousands of years without issue. That would be the safer option. But if the Heavenly Court finds me, I will never be able to reincarnate."
Zhang Buku remained silent.
Buddha Immortal turned without hesitation, opening his mouth to spit out a stream of blood-colored light that shot toward Shen Yi Realm Lord. In an instant, his aura rapidly recovered, and his withered flesh regained its vitality.
Witnessing this, Zhang Buku believed at least most of what Buddha Immortal had said.
Yet another question arose in his mind.
Did Buddha Immortal truly reach this decision on his own?
Why did this entire situation seem so suspicious?
In the Wushi Dao Field, inside a quiet chamber, the night remained unchanged outside the window.
Shen Zhen was still engrossed in her book, unaware that Gu An had just withdrawn his divine consciousness.
When Gu An had warned Buddha Immortal, it was not his true body that had gone—it was merely a manifestation of karmic power.
Because Zhang Buku and Shen Yi Realm Lord were present, Gu An could easily locate them at any time. The laws of that world could not restrict him.
To Zhang Buku, the Heavenly Spirit World was so far away that he didn't know if he could ever return in this lifetime.
But to Gu An, Zhang Buku was not far away at all. Even though he resided in a different world, reaching him would not be a difficult task.
The greatest challenge in traversing between worlds lay in crossing the world gates, which were guarded by the Heavenly Spirit God.
Gu An was different. He could travel through the River of Sword Dao to enter different worlds.
The Grand Dao River existed independently of the cosmos—a paradoxical existence. Those who comprehended the Dao could use it to reach different places, but most who entered it only found themselves lost, unable to find an exit.
Only those with nowhere else to turn would risk escaping into the Grand Dao River.
A Dao Comprehender who comprehends different Great Daos can enter different Great Dao Rivers. For example, one who comprehends the Dao of Fate can enter the River of Fate, while one who comprehends the Dao of the Sword can enter the River of the Sword. Gaining insight into the Great Dao Rivers is incredibly difficult; even many Profound Origin Free Immortals may not be able to achieve it—it all depends on one's comprehension.
Gu An closed the book and said calmly, "It's almost dawn, you can head back now."
Shen Zhen glanced at him and asked, "Why are you in such a hurry tonight? Last time, we talked about The Adventures of Green Hero for an entire day and night."
"I just went through a battle, and I'm a bit exhausted."
"What battle?"
"My will clashed with an existence far beyond the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Dao."
Gu An spoke with deliberate emotion, but Shen Zhen merely rolled her eyes.
The entire night had passed, and she hadn't seen Gu An move from his spot. Besides, what he said sounded completely absurd—she naturally didn't believe him.
"Fine, it's rare for you to drive me away. I just hope it's not because you're too engrossed in your books."
Shen Zhen stood up, placed the book in her hand onto the table, and turned to leave. When she reached the door, she suddenly looked back at Gu An and asked, "Do you want me to copy this book down tonight?"
Gu An glanced at her and said seriously, "How many times do I have to tell you? There are three thousand paths to comprehending the Dao, but some paths are better left untrodden."
"Then I won't copy it."
"Wait—copy it. That way, I can correct your thoughts."
Gu An changed his mind, and Shen Zhen chuckled behind her hand. She didn't argue with him and simply walked out of the room.
Once Shen Zhen closed the door behind her, Gu An pulled out paper and a brush and began writing.
—
Under the silent starry sky of the cosmos, the Heavenly Dao Golden Core still stood at the end of the long bridge, while An Hao sat before it, alone and solemn. Facing the Heavenly Dao Golden Core, his brows furrowed.
Within the Golden Core, a figure emerged and slowly walked toward him. Each step was steady, until it finally stopped at the edge of the Golden Core, gazing down at him.
"You still refuse to let go?"
A voice echoed from within the Heavenly Dao Golden Core—it sounded like Sun Immortal Emperor.
Without even opening his eyes, An Hao replied calmly, "It's not that I refuse to let go, but that I have no choice. You tell me to run, but where could I possibly escape to?"
"The Great Dao River is a way out."
"I am still far from reaching the Great Dao River, and besides, there are people here I cannot abandon."
"Ridiculous. This world is destined for destruction. The Heavenly Spirit World should have perished long ago. The only reason this fragment of existence remains is because the Heavenly Spirit God is waiting for the return of the Lord of the World. If you don't flee, you will be obliterated along with this fragment. You possess a fate that should not exist in this world—dying here would be far too wasteful."
The voice from within the Heavenly Dao Golden Core carried urgency.
An Hao remained silent.
"Even your most respected master has fled. Do you still not understand? Staying here is meaningless!"
The mysterious voice was now laced with frustration, as if disappointed in his stubbornness. Hearing this, An Hao slowly opened his eyes.
He spoke in a deep voice, "My master would never run. If he left, it was for another reason!"
In his heart, his master was an unshakable, invincible existence, someone beyond fear, someone sacred and untouchable. Even the Heavenly Dao had no right to slander him.
Now, An Hao finally understood—this Heavenly Dao Golden Core, while belonging to the Heavenly Dao, had already betrayed the Heavenly Dao. The Heavenly Spirit God's true goal was not the destruction of this world, but rather, the master of the Heavenly Dao Golden Core.
The thought that all of the Worlds across the cosmos were destined to be annihilated ignited something in his heart. He did not feel fear, anxiety, or even anger.
What he felt was anticipation.
He wanted to intervene at the moment of destruction, to turn the tide. He wanted to be the savior—just like the legendary Sword Master of the Dao, who always appeared at the most critical moments to reverse fate and save all beings.
He wanted that moment.
Even if it cost him his life, it would be worth it.
"Very well. If that is your decision, then I shall give you a chance!"
Within the Heavenly Dao Golden Core, more figures materialized, emerging from the depths. Their numbers grew, forming a great assembly.
An Hao observed them, his brows furrowed, yet he remained seated, waiting.
"They are the past inheritors of the Heavenly Dao. Though their bodies have long perished, their power can be bestowed upon you. You will be our final hope."
As those words rang out, An Hao's pupils began to turn golden, glowing with the supreme might of the Heavenly Dao, just like the Heavenly Dao Golden Core itself.