The announcement of the millennium combat tournament quickly spread throughout Wushi Dao Field, exciting everyone.
For most of their time in the Dao Field, they were absorbed in cultivation, which, while beneficial, could become monotonous. Having an event to anticipate was a refreshing change, and it also provided them with the opportunity to test their cultivation progress.
Unlike casual sparring, a competition organized by Gu An would certainly be taken seriously by all participants.
Even An Xin was eager to see how strong she had become when giving it her all.
As dusk approached, the mountain forest swayed gently in the wind, creating a tranquil and picturesque scene.
"I can participate too?"
Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother, clad in black, stood beside Gu An, her voice filled with excitement.
Gu An was examining a spirit flower that had just matured. Without lifting his head, he replied, "Do you think I would tease you about such a thing?"
Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother's heart pounded. She understood that participating in the tournament meant that Gu An had acknowledged her.
Overwhelmed with excitement, she instinctively tried to kneel, but an invisible force stopped her.
"I've told you before, in Wushi Dao Field, there's no need for such formalities," Gu An said, his tone calm. His expression showed satisfaction as he examined the spirit flower—it had excellent quality and would be suitable for transplanting into his study.
Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother nodded, her heart racing. After the initial joy subsided, she felt an immense pressure. After all, every person in this Dao Field was far from ordinary.
Gu An paid no further attention to her thoughts. Holding the spirit flower, he turned and left.
She remained in place, bowing respectfully to his retreating figure.
"This is my chance. I cannot let it slip away!"
Her eyes flickered with determination, a newfound surge of power coursing through her.
Here, in Wushi Dao Field, rare treasures were abundant, and she could receive guidance from someone as powerful as Gu An. Losing her freedom no longer seemed like an eternal sentence. As long as she proved herself useful, there would come a day when Gu An would send her on missions beyond the Dao Field, allowing her to experience the world once again.
In the blink of an eye, another century passed.
The autumn breeze swept through the Third Medicine Valley of Tai Xuan Sect.
Lü Baitian, now elderly with snow-white hair, stood before a vast medicinal garden. Gazing at the herbs swaying in the wind, he suddenly felt as if he was seeing a mirage—a blurred silhouette from the past, like an old memory overlapping with the present.
Long Qing approached him and asked, "Sect Master, what are you thinking about? You're not missing my master again, are you? Don't worry, I'm sure he's fine."
Lü Baitian snapped out of his thoughts and turned to Long Qing, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
He had long noticed that Long Qing bore a striking resemblance to Gu An. Not only their physique but also their facial features shared uncanny similarities. Among all of Gu An's disciples, Long Qing was the one who resembled him the most.
This resemblance made Lü Baitian speculate whether Long Qing was actually Gu An's son, left outside the Dao Field for some reason. Perhaps there was a hidden story behind it, which was why Gu An had never openly acknowledged their connection.
Because of this suspicion, Lü Baitian had always been particularly close to Long Qing, even considering him as the next Sect Master of Tai Xuan Sect.
With the legacy of the Sword Master of the Dao, Long Qing's rise to power would be effortless.
The Heaven-Mending Platform still held the Heaven-Sundering Axe, and as long as the Sword Master's Sword Will remained intact, Tai Xuan Sect would never forget or disregard him.
"Are you ready to take on the role of Sect Master?" Lü Baitian asked with a smile.
Hearing this, Long Qing's face showed unwavering confidence. "Of course, I'm ready. With Zhu Xing's support, I'm certain I can handle any problem that arises."
When Long Qing mentioned Zhu Xing, Lü Baitian didn't react much.
No matter how powerful Zhu Xing was, could he compare to Gu An?
Lü Baitian began advising Long Qing on the responsibilities of being a Sect Master. Long Qing listened attentively. Many people claimed that Lü Baitian's position as Sect Master was only secure because of the Sword Master of the Dao's influence.
But Long Qing saw it differently—this was precisely what made Lü Baitian remarkable.
Being able to establish an alliance with a powerful individual who had no blood relation or formal master-disciple bond with him and maintaining that relationship for thousands of years was no small feat.
A Sect Master wasn't necessarily the strongest in cultivation—it was about having the ability to lead and maneuver situations to the sect's advantage.
Because of this, Long Qing respected Lü Baitian deeply and wanted to learn from him.
As they talked, Lü Baitian began recounting the past. He spoke of how, back in the day, he had disguised himself as a mere medicine servant to assist Gu An. At that time, neither of them knew each other's true identities, and that was how their bond was formed.
Whenever Lü Baitian spoke of these old stories, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.
Long Qing couldn't help but interject, "Maybe everything he said back then was meant to guide you, showing you how to be a better Sect Master. After all, how could he not have known your real identity?"
Lü Baitian was momentarily stunned before shaking his head with a smile. "That might be true. But he had many choices—he could've supported anyone, yet he chose me, someone who had made mistakes. His heart is broader than most can imagine.
"Thinking about it, as long as a person hasn't committed an unforgivable crime, he always leaves room for redemption. This has become my principle as Sect Master. Should someone truly be sentenced to death? Should they truly be expelled from the sect? I make sure to think carefully before making any decision."
Long Qing nodded in agreement, quietly committing those words to memory.
Neither of them noticed a lone figure entering the Third Medicine Valley.
Since the departure of the Sword Master of the Dao, Tai Xuan Sect had stopped assigning disciples to guard the valley. It was never about protecting the valley—it was about not disturbing the Sword Master of the Dao.
Thousands of years had passed, and while disciples still spoke of the legend of the Sword Master of the Dao, most had no idea of his deep connection with the Third Medicine Valley.
Nowadays, anyone could enter the valley freely without obstruction.
The figure entering the valley was a man dressed in white, with a black cloth wrapped around his waist and a precious sword hanging at his side. His long hair was loosely tied behind his head, with strands framing his face and flowing down to his chest.
His features were strikingly handsome, and as he walked past, several female disciples couldn't help but steal a few extra glances at him.
His expression remained indifferent as he surveyed his surroundings, stepping deeper into the valley.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared in front of him—it was none other than Zhu Xing from the War Court.
Zhu Xing narrowed his eyes as he examined the man in white. "Who are you?" he asked.
Deep inside, Zhu Xing was startled.
He was a Profound Origin Free Immortal, yet he couldn't see through this person's cultivation.
The white-robed man glanced at Zhu Xing and asked, "You are Zhu Xing from the War Court?"
Hearing this, Zhu Xing's brows furrowed tightly. He hadn't expected this man to recognize him.
"You—who exactly are you?"
"I'm not here for you, nor do I intend to interfere with your plans."
The white-robed man cut Zhu Xing off coldly, then bypassed him and continued forward.
His gaze quickly locked onto Long Qing.
Zhu Xing once again stepped in front of him, his voice turning icy. "Then who are you looking for? Unless you explain, how can I be sure you won't disrupt my plans?"
The white-robed man replied, "I'm looking for Long Qing, your disciple. I won't harm him. I'm only here to deliver a warning, and what I have to say has nothing to do with your schemes."
With that, he stepped forward again, this time brushing past Zhu Xing, his shoulder knocking against him slightly.
That one slight contact made Zhu Xing's wariness deepen.
This man was incredibly strong.
Zhu Xing watched as the white-robed man strode toward Long Qing. After a brief hesitation, he chose to follow.
Clang—
The sharp sound of a blade leaving its sheath echoed.
In the next instant, a sword tip was already at Zhu Xing's throat.
His pupils dilated in shock.
So fast!
He hadn't even seen how the white-robed man drew his sword.
And this sword—it was no ordinary weapon.