Zhang Buku followed the sparrow through the forest. Though his injuries were severe, his robust physique allowed him to endure. He had suffered wounds like these before, knowing they would heal in about a month. However, he had barely rested before the sparrow urged him onward, and his fatigue began to crash over him like a relentless tide. After walking several miles, he felt himself nearing the limit of his endurance, longing to collapse and sleep.
Ahead, the sparrow's chirping grew insistent, as if urging him to continue. Reluctantly, Zhang Buku pressed on.
With each step, his eyelids grew heavier, and his movements sluggish. Yet, Gu An, disguised as the sparrow, did nothing to aid him, offering only constant encouragement.
Time blurred as Zhang Buku trudged forward until his strength gave out entirely. He collapsed onto a hillside and passed out, unconscious.
The sun set, and the moon rose.
A night passed.
As the morning light filtered through the forest, Zhang Buku's eyelids fluttered, his consciousness stirring. He slowly opened his eyes, the warmth of the sunlight embracing him. Small birds perched on him scattered as he moved, startled into flight.
Zhang Buku opened his mouth, but his throat was parched. He struggled to sit up and scanned the area. The sparrow that had guided him was nowhere in sight.
Frowning, he decided to descend the hill and find a place to clean his wounds. Just as he was about to move, he felt a faint, almost imperceptible trace of demonic energy—a strange sensation that compelled him to investigate.
Hesitant, he eventually took a step toward the source of the energy.
Circling the hill, he reached its far side and pushed aside the overgrown foliage to reveal a small cave entrance. It was narrow, barely large enough for him to enter.
Determined, Zhang Buku began clearing away the dirt blocking the entrance. After a night's rest, his strength had returned enough for the task.
Half an hour later, he crawled into a narrow tunnel, moving on all fours for what felt like ages before emerging into a spacious underground chamber.
Inside, his gaze was drawn to a smooth, flat stone in the center of the chamber. Upon it rested a massive, crimson demonic core, as large as a human head.
Zhang Buku's eyes lit up with greed the moment he saw the demonic core. It seemed to call to him, its allure irresistible.
Step by step, he approached the core, his hands trembling.
Several hundred miles away, Gu An observed the scene with his divine sense.
That demonic core was none other than the core of the Six-Headed Jiao Luo, a Mahayana Realm demon! Such a treasure could transform Zhang Buku's fate.
However, whether Zhang Buku could endure the immense power within the core remained uncertain.
If the power overwhelmed him, Gu An was prepared to intervene.
Under Gu An's watchful gaze, Zhang Buku clasped the core with both hands, channeling his cultivation to absorb its energy. His body trembled violently as blood crusted over his wounds dissolved into a crimson mist, his face twisting in agony. His skin reddened at a visible rate, as though aflame.
"This pain is nothing!" Zhang Buku gritted his teeth, his thoughts turning to the years of suffering he had endured. He was determined not to squander this rare opportunity.
He could sense that the core's origin was far beyond his imagination, possibly belonging to the most powerful demon he had ever encountered.
If he could harness its energy, his transformation would be monumental.
His expression grew fiercer, his eyes turning bloodshot as streams of blood energy seeped from his body. Behind him, the shape of a monstrous demon began to form, coalescing into the terrifying figure of the Six-Headed Jiao Luo. Its presence exuded overwhelming dominance and dread.
By dusk.
Gu An returned to Xuan Valley, greeted along the way by various servant disciples.
"Senior Brother, Li Ya has returned," Lu Jiujia informed Gu An as he passed by.
Gu An nodded in acknowledgment, heading toward the pavilion.
Ever since Li Ya had set off for Tai Xuan Sect, Gu An had been aware of his movements. Along the way, Li Ya had faced numerous challenges, from slaying demons to navigating personal conflicts. Gu An expected a long conversation upon their reunion.
Entering the building, he found Li Ya at the table, engrossed in writing.
Li Ya, now at the ninth level of the Core Formation Realm, had not extended his lifespan, which remained at 1,550 years. Compared to his father, Li Xuandao, his talent and fortune were significantly lacking.
Fortunately, Li Ya was blissfully unaware of his father's extraordinary prowess, remaining cheerful and confident.
Closing the door behind him, Gu An smiled. "Senior Brother Li, it's been a while. What are you writing?"
Li Ya looked up. "A physical cultivation technique to help you extend your lifespan."
Intrigued, Gu An approached the table to examine the manuscript.
"How have you been all these years?" Li Ya asked while continuing to write.
"Quite peaceful, no major events—an uneventful life," Gu An replied before countering with a question of his own.
Li Ya began recounting his time cultivating at Three Purities Mountain. He had discovered many Li family members within the sect and thrived under the guidance of his elders. There, he learned numerous spells and techniques, particularly in cultivating a stable Dao Heart. His swordsmanship had also reached new heights, infused with Dao intent—a rare accomplishment. Even senior figures at Three Purities Mountain, including Xuanmiao Zhenren, marveled at his progress, remarking that such Dao intent was a rarity, even among prodigies.
Gu An could sense the Dao intent emanating from Li Ya—a force akin to sword intent, yet of a higher caliber. Wrapped in Dao intent, Li Ya's perception of the world's spiritual energy had sharpened, and he even seemed capable of grasping the laws of nature. It appeared that his time at Three Purities Mountain had indeed been fruitful.
After recounting his experiences at the mountain, Li Ya shared the challenges he faced on his journey back. Among them were encounters with cultivators who, under the pretense of the Great Demon Catastrophe, committed atrocities. Even righteous sect disciples were not exempt from such behavior, much to his anger.
"I no longer only slay demons; I slay people too," Li Ya said coldly. "Many argue that these individuals are needed to resist the demons during these chaotic times, but I refuse to accept such excuses."
He turned to Gu An. "Junior Brother, do you think I'm wrong?"
Gu An responded without hesitation. "What's wrong with that? If those people were truly willing to fight against demons, they wouldn't be committing such evil acts. Their actions are a burden on all of humanity. I support you."
Hearing this, Li Ya's face lit up with a smile. He knew his junior brother would understand him.
As Li Ya continued sharing stories from his travels, Gu An listened intently. Though decades had passed, Gu An still held Li Ya in high regard. Despite having made many friends, disciples, and even romantic connections, Li Ya remained special to him. After all, they had joined Tai Xuan Sect together, and during their Foundation Establishment days, Li Ya had taken care of him—a kindness he would never forget.
When Li Ya finished recounting his journey, he set down his brush. "Junior Brother, I returned this time specifically to visit you, but I'll have to leave again tomorrow."
"The world is in chaos," Gu An replied. "Do what you must, Senior Brother. I lack your strength and can only tend to the medicinal fields in the valley. I'll pray for your safety."
Li Ya chuckled. "With you praying for me, how could I not be safe?"
Then, his tone shifted. "By the way, do you still keep in touch with my father?"
Having kept the secret for decades, Gu An felt it was time to speak up. He explained everything about Tianya Valley.
"I didn't think much of him before, but his actions now have earned my respect. Stick by him and do your best. If he ever schemes against you, I won't let him off easily," Li Ya said, a trace of admiration in his voice.
After the Great Demon Catastrophe began, the three dynasties ceased their conflicts to focus on combating the demons. Li Xuandao had even personally led armies to subdue demon kings, earning him a reputation that far surpassed that of the emperors of Tian Wei and Great Jiang. Among the cultivation world, he was widely acknowledged.
"Oh, and the masters of Three Purities Mountain prophesied that someone in the Li family is destined for greatness," Li Ya added smugly. "It's obviously me. I might even become an immortal one day. What do you think, Junior Brother? Impressive, right?"
Gu An laughed. "What qualifies someone as 'destined'? Is it unparalleled talent or unmatched fortune?"
Li Ya raised his eyebrows. "Whether it's talent or luck, I'm the strongest among the direct Li family bloodline. Who else could it be? Surely you don't think it's my sister?"
"Of course not. I haven't seen your sister in years. How is Senior Sister Li?"
"She's doing well. Wait a moment—didn't you just say you don't like her?" Li Ya's eyes widened, feigning suspicion.
Gu An laughed at his attempt to provoke a reaction. Li Xuan Yu, Li Ya's sister, had once asked for Gu An's help in managing her cave residence, and in return, introduced him to other opportunities. Their relationship was friendly but distant, as she often secluded herself in the inner sect for cultivation.
The two continued their banter until dawn. When morning came, Li Ya departed.
Gu An stood by the window, watching his senior brother disappear into the distance.
"Destined for greatness? Senior Brother, as I see it, your father fits that description far better than you do…"
Inside the cave.
Zhang Buku sat cross-legged, shirtless. His skin, once marred by blood scabs, had turned pale and smooth. Black scales had formed in three patches along each side of his neck, and strange phantom images—like the restless souls of demons—flickered across his body.
He slowly opened his eyes and rose to his feet. As his joints cracked like thunderclaps, he felt a rush of unprecedented power coursing through him. A wide grin spread across his face.
Not only had his cultivation level soared, but his life essence had undergone a profound transformation. The feeling was indescribable.
Zhang Buku stretched his limbs, testing his newfound strength. After some time, he noticed something etched into the cave wall and approached to examine it closely.
"Heaven-Sundering Divine Axe…" he muttered.
As someone who had spent years on the run, Zhang Buku knew little of the broader cultivation world and had never heard of this technique. However, he could tell it was extraordinary.
After reading the inscription, he realized that only the general principles of the Heaven-Sundering Divine Axe were recorded—not the complete method. This left him disappointed.
Still, from what he could discern, the technique was overwhelmingly powerful. If mastered, it could likely render the wielder invincible.
Suddenly, he felt a surge of awareness and extended his divine sense toward the wall.
Boom!
A torrent of knowledge flooded his mind, momentarily overwhelming him.
When he regained clarity, his eyes sparkled with excitement.
He had inherited the full Heaven-Sundering Divine Axe technique!
Recalling the grand, sweeping movements described in the technique, Zhang Buku's heart burned with anticipation. He itched to begin practicing immediately, but he lacked an axe.
Scanning his surroundings, his gaze fell on a stone crevice where an axe lay embedded. His excitement grew as he pulled it free.
Swinging the stone axe a few times, he found it too light for his liking. Still, it was better than nothing, and it would suffice for practice.
Zhang Buku stepped back, knelt before the cave wall, and said solemnly, "Senior, I do not know your identity or whether you are still alive, but everything I have gained today is thanks to you. From this day forward, you are my master. I, Zhang Buku, will never forget your kindness!"
With that, he bowed deeply, his forehead striking the ground until it bled.