Tian Hao's sudden rise brought an unprecedented wave of morale to Qiankun Sect. A thousand-year-old Wandering Immortal, a feat that would go down in history, caused the name of Qiankun Sect to spread far and wide.
Throughout the endless years, countless powerful figures came forward to recruit Tian Hao, including envoys from Dao Court, yet each attempt ultimately fell through. Many geniuses challenged Tian Hao, but without exception, they all returned in defeat.
Ten thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.
Within Dao Court, in Xiao Lan's cave-dwelling Dao field.
By a secluded mountain stream, Xiao Lan, who had just broken through to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, was discussing the vast power of this realm with Gu An.
The two sat cross-legged on a massive rock, a small table set between them. On the table were fine wine and spiritual fruits.
As Xiao Lan shared her insights, she was simultaneously comprehending the true essence of the heavens and the earth. However, she was unaware that the man before her was merely a clone.
Gu An's eyes flickered slightly as his true body took over from the clone.
He had just returned from Mountain God Temple in Tai Cang Continent, where he had gathered medicinal herbs, his mood at ease.
He pulled up his attribute panel and began admiring his progress:
[Name: Gu An]
[Lifespan: 45,402 / 760,382,411,523]
[Physique: Hunyuan Reincarnation Immortal Physique]
[Cultivation: Heaven-Opening Grand Luo Immortal Realm (Peak)]
The moment of reaching one trillion years of lifespan was drawing ever closer!
Gu An thoroughly enjoyed his current peaceful and harmonious life—there were no external enemies, yet his lifespan was still increasing at an astonishing rate.
To him, lifespan was like an experience bar in a game, and watching the numbers rise gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.
Xiao Lan lifted her wine cup, downing it in one gulp, then said, "Many peerless geniuses have emerged in recent years. Strangely, the current number one prodigy in the world does not belong to Dao Court, but rather to a sect called Qiankun Sect. His name is Tian Hao. To take 'Tian' as his name—what arrogance! But his speed of advancement is truly unfathomable. I heard that at eleven thousand years old, he has already reached the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal Realm."
Her face was filled with emotion as she spoke.
Gu An chuckled. "You're doing well too. The path of cultivation isn't about who advances faster—it's about who lives longer."
Xiao Lan shook her head and laughed, feeling that Gu An still didn't understand the monstrous nature of Tian Hao.
She changed the subject. "Recently, there have been many Heavenly Dao rumors spreading outside—myths of supreme deities. They claim that beyond this world, there exist even greater celestial beings, originating from the Heavenly Court..."
The myth of the Heavenly Court had indeed spread throughout the world. Behind this were the efforts of Wudao Immortal, as well as the influence of Taiyin Star Lord.
As these myths continued to gain recognition, the Heavenly Dao's fate energy throughout the world visibly increased. The Heavenly Dao's light layer above Heavenly Spirit Great World grew ever more radiant.
This made Gu An realize something crucial:
Though immortals and mortals were vastly different, the Heavenly Court clearly wanted the mortal world to know of its existence.
Among all the Heavenly Court myths currently circulating, the most powerful deity was Xuan Su Immortal Lord.
It was said that he was omnipotent, the creator of worlds, capable of hearing the voices of all living beings and rescuing those in suffering.
Xuan Su Immortal Lord was none other than the master of Taiyin Star Lord. It was Taiyin Star Lord who was actively shaping the legend of this celestial sovereign.
Gu An had some memories of this immortal.
Before the restructuring of the world, Xuan Su Immortal Lord's believers had already been traveling through the mortal realm, spreading his name. This resulted in ancient records and scriptures being left behind, allowing future generations to study and worship his myth.
Notably, many mortal empires had openly devoted themselves to Xuan Su Immortal Lord, even forging karma-bound destinies with him.
For instance, Li Xuandao, the ruler of Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, had been the first mortal to receive Xuan Su Immortal Lord's divine power. That had happened in the previous era.
Gu An had never interfered in this matter.
In his eyes, every individual had their own fate.
He preferred to watch the world unfold rather than shape it himself.
Xiao Lan couldn't comprehend the existence of celestial beings. To her, the supreme figures of Dao Court were already the pinnacle of power—how could there be immortals and gods even stronger than them?
Having reached the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm, she felt as if she was omnipotent, even contemplating venturing beyond the heavens to see for herself. It was difficult for her to fathom just how powerful the mythical deities described in legend would be if they truly existed.
She began to suspect a conspiracy, believing that some force with the intent to overthrow Dao Court was behind these myths.
Dao Court was the acknowledged ruler of the world, practically embodying the Heavenly Dao itself. It dictated the rules of the heavens and the earth, serving as the de facto gods of this world. But now, with tales spreading of celestial beings surpassing Dao Court, what would the people think of Dao Court?
Gu An didn't pay much mind to Xiao Lan's concerns. Everyone had their own standpoint, and as someone within Dao Court, it was only natural for Xiao Lan to be worried about its status.
"This world is still far too vast, and even Dao Court has yet to unify it completely," Gu An sighed.
Xiao Lan picked up the wine jug, pouring a cup for Gu An as she asked, "Why am I the only one talking? Gu-ge, is there nothing you want to know? Or perhaps something you desire? If there's anything, I can help you get it."
Gu An chuckled and replied, "You don't have to worry about me. I was just an ordinary person to begin with. Reaching this point, I am already content. I know what's troubling you, but I haven't lost my freedom. While you were in seclusion, I often traveled around and made quite a few friends within Dao Court. I'm genuinely satisfied. What makes me happiest is hearing others admire your strength—that makes me proud too."
These words touched Xiao Lan deeply. She set down the wine jug and, unable to restrain herself, moved closer to Gu An, gazing at him with love in her eyes.
She reached out and held Gu An's hand. He didn't pull away, simply watching as she slowly leaned in.
As Xiao Lan's face drew close, obscuring the lower half of Gu An's face, his gaze lifted toward the sky.
At this moment, Li Ya was being intercepted by Taiyin Star Lord.
Waves crashed against the shore in rhythmic succession. Li Ya, clad in black, stood on the beach with a furrowed brow, his expression growing colder as he looked at Taiyin Star Lord, who blocked his path.
"What do you want?" Li Ya asked bluntly, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Taiyin Star Lord smiled. "Your fate has already deviated from the path Heavenly Dao set for you. It seems you've received the aid of someone influential. And not just that—your trajectory continues to shift. In the future, you might even form ties with celestial beings. I don't know which deity it might be, but you certainly carry a trace of immortal fate upon you."
Li Ya sneered. "What, are you another one of those Daoist zealots preaching about the Heavenly Dao and Heavenly Court? I don't believe in immortals, nor do I believe in gods."
If such beings truly existed, then why had this world suffered so much hardship? And why was it always Gu Shidi who had to step forward to turn the tide?
If gods and immortals really existed, then the only one worthy of that title was Gu Shidi.
And Gu Shidi was never one to allow others to worship his name.
Taiyin Star Lord chuckled. He gently flicked the dust whisk in his right hand toward a white jade bottle resting in his left palm. A single drop of liquid floated out from the bottle, hovering between them.
"Our meeting is also a kind of fate. This is immortal nectar, capable of reshaping your body and granting you an innate constitution. Consider this a token of goodwill." Taiyin Star Lord smiled.
Before Li Ya could react, the droplet of immortal nectar shot forward, striking him squarely on the forehead. He had no time to dodge.
Startled, Li Ya immediately touched his forehead, but he felt nothing. He couldn't trace where the nectar had gone, nor could he detect any changes within his body.
Taiyin Star Lord turned away, strolling off leisurely as he spoke in a carefree tone, "This great world is anything but ordinary. In time, it will give rise to many extraordinary stories. Interesting… truly interesting."