Ji Xiaoyu remained silent, her gaze fixed in the distance, lost in thought.
Seeing this, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor could guess what she was contemplating. He spoke softly, "The one who eliminated the extraterrestrial invaders must have been him. Since he still exists, perhaps this is our chance to integrate into the Heavenly Spirit Great World more smoothly. Why continue to resist?"
He understood that the Samsara Dao Emperor was proud to her core—he had once supported her firm stance.
But now…
Gu An was simply too powerful!
So powerful that the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor felt it would be a waste not to cling to his leg.
No matter how he looked at it, encountering Gu An was the greatest fortune for both the Samsara Dao Emperor and the entire Yin-Yang Immortal Domain.
Ji Xiaoyu still gave no response.
Seeing this, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor could only sigh and turn to leave.
Just as he turned, Ji Xiaoyu's voice drifted over, "Tell them… I agree."
Hearing this, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor turned back in surprise, his face lighting up with joy. He bowed once again before vanishing into the void.
Ji Xiaoyu continued to gaze into the distance and murmured, "When will I ever catch up to you?"
No one answered, but she wasn't looking for an answer.
Her thoughts drifted away, back to many years ago.
Back then, Gu An was still a child, but his eyes were already different from the other children in the clan…
Time flowed like a river.
A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.
The emergence of the War Court's treasures had officially ushered in a golden age for the world.
The first War Court Supreme Treasure was unearthed, sparking a massive battle between numerous powerful figures. Fortunately, as more treasures surfaced, the competition became less brutal, allowing many factions to claim their own spoils.
Cultivation sects everywhere scrambled to locate these treasures.
In truth, there were far more relics of the War Court than cultivators in the mortal world. After all, the Grand Thousand Worlds had only just been remodeled, and the human race had yet to fully populate its vast expanse.
Even Qiankun Sect joined the treasure-hunting frenzy.
An Xin frequently brought back news from the outside world, filling the sect with restless excitement.
However, no matter how tempting the treasures were, Gu An forbade his disciples from leaving.
His firm stance quickly calmed them down—after all, if even he didn't care for these treasures, then what did it matter?
Upon reaching the Heaven-Opening Grand Luo Immortal Realm, Gu An's Dao Intent had grown even stronger, allowing his Dao Field's disciples to gain profound insights simply by remaining within the sect.
The Blood Prison Saint was the first to break through to the Wandering Immortal Realm.
His talent was extraordinary, his lifespan before Nirvana had reached 9,999 years, a level matched only by Tian Yao'er within the Dao Field.
During this millennium, the Yin-Yang Immortal Domain descended upon the Heavenly Spirit Great World.
Gu An witnessed the Dao Court negotiating with them, and after much discussion, they reached an agreement—granting the Yin-Yang Immortal Domain a territory at the edge of the world.
Ji Xiaoyu returned to the Heavenly Spirit Great World, yet she never once visited Tai Xuan Sect, nor did she attempt to reestablish ties with the Ji Family.
Gu An could hear her heart's voice.
She often thought about him.
But her pride and unrelenting will refused to let her approach him as a subordinate.
She wanted to stand as his equal.
Gu An respected her choice.
He could not, nor did he wish to, dictate everything in the world.
In truth, Ji Xiaoyu's determination piqued his curiosity.
He had protected many people.
Yet, here was someone who refused to rely on him.
It was… rare.
Third Miss, keep trying.
No matter how hard you work… you will never catch up to me.
A smug expression flickered across Gu An's face as he turned his gaze toward the distant sky.
A massive barrier shimmered in the void, where Lu Xian and Chen Chuan were sparring again.
Despite the Thousand-Year Dao Combat, these two still found time to duel privately, their bond growing stronger with each match.
In his previous life, Xiao Chuan had been a bottom-tier disciple of Tai Xuan Sect, while Lu Xian had been the sect's number one genius, an unreachable existence.
Now, they were the closest of senior and junior brothers.
Fate was truly unpredictable.
No, perhaps it was better to call it a marvelous twist of destiny.
After watching them for a while, Gu An turned his gaze in another direction.
Both Xiao Chuan and Lu Jiujia had already reincarnated into the Heavenly Spirit Great World.
Ye Lan would soon follow.
Ye Lan carried the Extinguishing Dao Fate Seal, and Gu An could feel her soul traveling through the Reincarnation Dao, drawing ever closer to the Heavenly Spirit Great World.
Reincarnation was a complex cycle.
A reborn soul could end up in any Grand Thousand World.
However, one's birthplace exerted a gravitational pull, subtly guiding souls back to their original world.
From afar, Gu An observed Ye Lan's soul, tracing her past seventeen lifetimes.
Because she had cultivated the Innate Reincarnation Technique, Ye Lan awakened her past memories in every life.
In each reincarnation, she continued cultivating the technique, gradually accumulating her power.
With every rebirth, her innate talent grew stronger.
Perhaps because she remembered her past lives, she remained alone in every incarnation, never once marrying.
Yet, before each death, she was always filled with joy.
Because in her next life, she would once again draw closer to Gu An.
Dying with anticipation, reincarnating with confusion—this was her cycle of reincarnation.
As Gu An watched the past lives of Ye Lan, he felt a deep sense of emotion stir within him.
That foolish girl…
No matter what, Ye Lan had finally returned.
Gu An had already deduced where she would be reborn in this life. He stood up, gave An Xin a few instructions, and then vanished from his original spot.
He arrived at a vast continent, far larger than the Tai Cang Continent, where countless dynasties flourished, and sect after sect filled the land.
Most notably, this land was under the rule of the Dao Court.
Gu An materialized within a mountainous forest, his gaze fixed in one direction. Along the way, he had already calculated Ye Lan's fate for this lifetime.
With seventeen lifetimes of accumulation, the Innate Reincarnation Technique would grant Ye Lan unparalleled talent. This destined her life to be anything but ordinary, ensuring that she would be tied to the Dao Court in some way.
Gu An was not one to fear trouble.
Since she had returned, he had already decided that in this lifetime, Ye Lan would live smoothly and experience no suffering.
Thinking of the Dao Court, Gu An's mind drifted back to Lu Han, his past Reincarnation Body.
During Lu Han's life, he too had clashed with a Dao Court, though that Dao Court was not the same as this one.
In the vast Grand Thousand Worlds, there were countless factions that bore the name Dao Court.
Yet, any force that dared to name itself after the Dao naturally possessed immense ambition.
After walking for a while, Gu An finally spotted a mountain estate.
Inside the estate, a group of cultivators resided.
However, they had only reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, and having given up hope on the path of cultivation, they had retreated from the world, choosing instead to live a peaceful mortal life.
With a flick of thought, Gu An withdrew his powerful aura, concealing himself entirely. His divine artifacts vanished, and in their place, he wore a simple black robe with a Azure Swan Sword and a White Spirit Sword hanging at his waist.
Though his face remained the same, his presence had shifted completely, turning him from an immortal deity into a wandering swordsman, like a lone warrior roaming the martial world.
He walked up to the estate's gates and knocked gently.
After several breaths of time, the door finally opened.
A young servant cautiously peered at Gu An and asked, "Do you need something?"
Gu An smiled. "My name is Gu An. I am traveling the world and would like to stay here for a few days. Could you relay my request? I won't take advantage of your hospitality for free."
The servant initially wanted to refuse, but after hearing Gu An's words, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "Wait here."
Clang!
The gates shut once more.
A Heaven-Opening Grand Luo Immortal, locked outside by a mortal estate.
Gu An found this amusing rather than insulting.
After all, this estate was destined to become Ye Lan's home.
After a long wait, the doors finally opened again, and Gu An was invited inside.
The sunlight bathed the courtyard walls, casting a warm glow.
Within the cracks of the wall, tender green sprouts began to emerge, growing at an unbelievable speed.
As time passed, the entire courtyard wall became covered in thick vines and wild grass.
Eighteen years had passed.
The gates swung open once again.
A young girl in yellow robes rushed out, with Gu An following behind her.
She looked around sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate features and a lively demeanor. Her long hair was braided into two pigtails, draped over her shoulders.
After descending the steps, she turned back and looked at Gu An.
"Gu Gege, where are we going to play today?"
Her bright eyes shone with excitement. "I heard that there are monsters nearby. Why don't we go catch some demons?"
Her youthful energy radiated from her, her smile as brilliant as the morning sun.
Gu An looked at her and silently cast Lifespan Investigation.
[Xiao Lan (Qi Refining Realm Third Stage): 17/160/9999]
Her maximum lifespan had finally reached 9,999 years!
From birth, Xiao Lan had already possessed 7,000 years of lifespan.
Throughout these years, Gu An used his Dao Intent to help her comprehend the Dao in her dreams, guiding her progress until this very moment.
Everything had led to this exact day.
Today, Xiao Lan's life was about to undergo a transformation.
Gu An smiled knowingly, causing Xiao Lan to blush.
She pouted and glared at him. "Gu Gege, why aren't you saying anything? Are you thinking about—"
Before she could finish her sentence, her expression suddenly changed.
She spun around sharply, eyes widening as she focused on the mountain path ahead.
There, a woman in white robes slowly emerged from the forest.
She was elegant and ethereal, her cold and beautiful face carrying a sense of otherworldly detachment. A long zither was strapped to her back, making her look like a celestial maiden stepping out from the misty woods.
For Xiao Lan, who had never ventured beyond these mountains, the sight left her completely stunned.
The white-robed woman's gaze locked onto Xiao Lan, her expression calm.
However, after two breaths, her pupils suddenly dilated.
In an instant, she vanished and reappeared right in front of Xiao Lan, reaching out and grabbing her wrist.
"What are you doing?!"
Xiao Lan let out a startled cry, instinctively trying to shake off the woman's grip—but she couldn't budge her at all.
The white-robed woman stared at her intently and murmured to herself, "Such a foundation… this is truly unparalleled…"
Gu An did not interfere, simply watching with a smile.
This woman, a cultivator of the Wandering Immortal Realm, would become Xiao Lan's first teacher, leading her onto the path of cultivation.
At this moment, Gu An felt genuinely relieved.
Ages had passed.
The world had changed, shifting into an entirely new era.
Yet, the sun and moon still remained, and she was standing before him once more.