The night was as serene as water. Three white foxes stared playfully at Lao Da, as if watching prey.
Under their gaze, Lao Da found himself in a fierce internal struggle. The lifeless Xiao Wu on his back was growing colder, his body stiffening, making Lao Da even more anxious.
Even though he was just a beggar, someone at the very bottom of society, constantly bullied and looked down upon, he had never thought of killing anyone. At most, he had only fantasized about beating up those who tormented him.
To him, killing was an unforgivable sin...
But his brother, Xiao Wu, was waiting to be saved.
Lao Da took a deep breath, gritting his teeth as he looked at the three white foxes. "How about this—take my life to save my brother's. Let my brother be your servant for life instead!"
Xiao Wu was disabled and could hardly take care of himself. If he could be tied to these fox demons, perhaps he would have a better fate.
Though demons were not as powerful as immortals, they were still beyond the reach of ordinary people. What if these fox demons could even help Xiao Wu grow new legs?
Hearing Lao Da's words, the three white foxes were momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.
"Your brother is useless. Is he supposed to be our servant, or are we supposed to be his?"
"Mortal, you think too much."
"A coward like you isn't even fit to be our slave."
Despite their mocking, Lao Da did not get angry. Instead, he became even more nervous and uneasy.
It was already rare to find an opportunity to save his brother—how could he give up?
"As long as you go back into the city and kill someone, we can make your brother whole again, restoring all his missing limbs," one of the foxes said meaningfully. "There are plenty of villains in that city. If you kill one, you won't just be saving your brother… you'll be doing justice."
Lao Da's eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope.
Meanwhile…
Gu An stood under a nearby tree, watching the scene unfold.
These three white foxes were only second-rank demons, equivalent to the Foundation Establishment Realm. They hadn't even reached the level where they could take human form. What they said was true—they did want Lao Da to kill an evildoer from the city.
The reason they didn't dare to act themselves was that a cultivation sect resided nearby, constantly hunting down wicked demons. By using Lao Da as a pawn, they believed they could avoid detection.
Gu An had no intention of interfering. Even if someone died because of this, it didn't concern him.
He had saved countless lives before—he wouldn't hesitate over the fate of a single person. However, if someone truly moved his heart, he might act on impulse.
Eventually, Lao Da agreed. He gently laid Xiao Wu on the ground before turning around and heading back to the city alone.
As soon as he left, the three white foxes surrounded Xiao Wu and began casting spells to preserve his soul.
Xiao Wu's lifespan and natural limit were far beyond fifteen years. The foxes did have a way to prolong his life, but from now on, he would be bound to them, unable to escape the influence of demons.
Gu An watched for a while, then vanished.
Even with the intervention of these foxes, Xiao Wu was doomed never to attain immortality. This was Gu An's punishment for the Heavenly Spirit God's repeated failures.
Though Gu An never intentionally orchestrated the Heavenly Spirit God's reincarnations, he did set a ceiling on his fate.
The summer night breeze carried a slight chill.
One of the white foxes suddenly shivered and whispered, "Why do I feel uneasy? Like this might bring us trouble?"
Another fox shot her a glare and snapped, "What are you afraid of? Are you planning to become the concubine of that arrogant brat from the city lord's mansion?"
"I'd never! He's disgusting," the first fox retorted.
"The real problem is how he bullies others. He must die," the third fox said. "When that fool returns, we'll teach him some martial skills."
"That's the only way."
Their voices gradually softened as the forest fell into an eerie silence.
A vast desert stretched under the night sky, where a cliff jutted into the air. At the edge stood a man with flowing white hair—Zhang Buku.
Bare-chested, he gazed down at the lake of blood beneath the cliff. His upper body was lined with sharply defined muscles, brimming with raw power. Strange blood-colored markings slithered across his skin, making him appear even more fearsome.
Suddenly, a stone Buddha head emerged from the yellow sands—it was the Buddha Immortal.
The Buddha Immortal looked at Zhang Buku, an unreadable expression flickering across his stone-like face.
He had been forced to teach Zhang Buku how to cultivate, yet he hadn't expected Zhang Buku to take to his teachings so well—far beyond his expectations.
If he could possess Zhang Buku's body, perhaps his next reincarnation would surpass this one. Just the thought of it filled him with regret.
Of course, even if he had the courage, he wouldn't dare. The mere memory of Gu An pressing down on his head sent shivers down his spine.
Zhang Buku turned to the Buddha Immortal and asked, "Where is the Shen Yi Realm Lord now?"
The Buddha Immortal answered, "As per your request, I sent him to a Grand Thousand World. He is safe… for now."
"If I find out you've deceived me, this favor will turn into hatred."
"Rest assured, I've already done this much. Why would I kill him for no reason?"
"He's in the Tai Ze Grand World. Once you finish your cultivation, I will send you there as well. That world is filled with opportunities, and the control of the immortals and gods over it is weak. It's a great place for you to grow."
The Buddha Immortal remained unfazed by Zhang Buku's rude tone, replying in a calm voice.
After thousands of years, his mindset had shifted. He now looked forward to Zhang Buku's future.
The existence backing Zhang Buku was immensely powerful, yet they had asked him to guide Zhang Buku. He saw this as an opportunity. No matter how high one's cultivation reached, one still needed support. If the Heavenly Court ever discovered him one day, perhaps Zhang Buku's benefactor could be his refuge.
Hearing the Buddha Immortal's response, Zhang Buku asked no more.
After cultivating in this realm for so many years, his heart had already settled.
Rather than wasting time on schemes beyond his control, it was better to seize the present and focus on cultivation.
He raised his right hand, and a gust of blood-colored wind swirled in his palm, forming a small vortex. In an instant, the yellow sand in the sky surged towards him. As he lifted his hand higher, a sandstorm tornado formed in his palm, growing more and more magnificent.
The Buddha Immortal was startled. "You can already sense the power of this world's heaven and earth?"
"Yes, it doesn't seem that difficult. I'm curious—can I wield this power of heaven and earth in other realms as well?" Zhang Buku responded.
The Buddha Immortal chuckled. "Of course. The world I created is not weak, and it has existed for an unimaginably long time. If you can control the heaven and earth of this realm, you will be able to borrow the power of other Grand Worlds as well."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Buku's lips curled into a smirk, one brimming with near-arrogant confidence.
At this moment, two names surfaced in his mind—Gu Shishu and Li Ya.
In his long years of cultivation, he often thought of these two people. The memories of his old acquaintances anchored him, reminding him of where he came from and where he was heading.
"Gu Shishu, Li Ya… You can't imagine how strong I've become now. I really wish you could witness my growth."
Zhang Buku's heart surged with emotion. As his strength grew, so did his confidence.
Even if Gu Shishu and Li Ya had perished, Zhang Buku would still search for them in reincarnation.
Wasn't the pursuit of cultivation all about achieving one's desires?
For Zhang Buku, his desire was to drink and journey across the heavens alongside Gu Shishu and Li Ya.
The Buddha Immortal watched the sandstorm tornado in Zhang Buku's hand, but his thoughts wandered to another individual. He wondered if Zhang Buku would have a chance to challenge that person in the future.
"Buddha Immortal, how much longer until I can leave?"
"Don't rush. I have one more divine ability to teach you. Once you've mastered the basics, you can leave."
"Oh? What divine ability?"
"A technique that will allow you to traverse the Three Thousand Grand Worlds and roam freely across the Great Dao River."
"If that's the case, then I must see this so-called River of Fate you spoke of."
Hearing Zhang Buku mention the River of Fate, the Buddha Immortal smiled. "If you ever enter the River of Fate, you must be wary of one person."
"Who?"
"His name is Lu Qiuxian. His cultivation is unfathomable. He finds everyone who enters the River of Fate and asks them a few questions. You must not offend him."
Lu Qiuxian?
Zhang Buku committed the name to memory.
For the Buddha Immortal to fear someone to such an extent, Lu Qiuxian was undoubtedly an existence he couldn't afford to provoke.
A hundred years had passed since Xiao Wu was revived.
Gu An never checked on him again, only occasionally glancing his way.
This year, the name Li Ya once again spread throughout the Nine Spirits Continent.
Li Ya had agreed to a life-and-death duel with the Holy Son of the Yaoguang Holy Sect atop Mortal Peak to settle past grievances. Even before the appointed day arrived, the news had already spread across the land like wildfire.
The present-day Heavenly Spirit Grand World was vast beyond measure. Yet, within the territories that once belonged to the former Heavenly Spirit Realm, both Li Ya and the Holy Son of the Yaoguang Holy Sect were renowned prodigies.
"Who would've thought Li Ya would make such a name for himself? It seems the world isn't all that impressive. Back in the day, he couldn't even withstand a single strike from me."
Lu Xian was boasting about his past feats while An Shengtian, Jiang Shi, Chen Chuan, Tianqing, and Tianbai listened.
After cultivating in the Wushi Dao Field for so many years, their cultivation had all reached the Loose Immortal Realm. Coupled with their divine abilities and spells, they were brimming with confidence, convinced that their peers in the outside world were no match for them.
Tianbai tilted his head and remarked, "Li Ya wields the world's strongest divine sword. Even if your cultivation surpasses his, I doubt you'd be his match."
Lu Xian glared at him. "Relying on a treasure doesn't make one a true hero. I only trust in my own physical body!"
At that moment, An Xin suddenly appeared out of thin air and said, "Think about what kind of treasures you each want. Master is preparing to forge weapons for everyone."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze fell on Lu Xian.
Lu Xian's face turned slightly red. He coughed and said, "Why are you all looking at me? I've already decided what I want!"