"First off, the title can't be something like Travelogues. It's utterly unappealing. As cultivators, do you think people want to read about someone's travels? They can't explore on their own? I enjoy reading them because my aptitude is mediocre, and I rarely dare to leave the Tai Xuan Sect." Gu An critiqued in a mock-serious tone.
Xuan Tianyi nodded earnestly and sat down, listening attentively to Gu An's suggestions.
Thus began Gu An's long-winded lecture.
Forgetting everything else, there was something undeniably satisfying about talking big. No wonder so many people liked to act as mentors. Gu An found himself thoroughly enjoying it.
Time flew by, and two hours passed in what felt like an instant.
As Gu An finally paused, still eager to continue, Xuan Tianyi was thoroughly impressed. Who knew that writing a book involved so many techniques—appealing to desires, creating immersion, stoking rivalries—it was utterly fascinating.
Excited, Xuan Tianyi stood and prepared to leave. "I'm heading to the Heaven Mending Platform to immerse myself in the Sword Master of Dao's sword intent. I'll rewrite this book properly. And you're right; it won't be called The Sword Master of Dao's Travelogues. I'll come up with something new."
With that, he strode to the door. Gu An followed to see him off.
After walking him downstairs, Gu An watched him leave, a contemplative look in his eyes.
At that moment, An Xin came running up. "Master, the White Spirit Mouse is missing!"
Without much concern, Gu An replied, "If it's gone, it's gone. It knows how to come back."
Many disciples had been rewarded by Gu An with the opportunity to cultivate beneath the Mysterious Clear Tree, but none had benefited as greatly as the White Spirit Mouse. Its maximum lifespan had multiplied several times over, and Gu An suspected it might have comprehended the Dao in its dreams.
Comprehending the Dao was an incredibly rare feat. Even Lu Lingjun, who trained beneath the Mysterious Clear Tree daily, hadn't achieved it, yet this mouse had.
However, no one else seemed to notice the change. The White Spirit Mouse appeared much the same, albeit slightly more agile.
An Xin, however, looked worried.
Ever since Gu An had entrusted her with the care of the White Spirit Mouse, she'd grown oddly attached to it. Gu An suspected she was on the verge of becoming a "mouse slave."
With a resigned smile, Gu An led An Xin aside to give her some pointers on cultivation.
As a cultivator at the eighth level of the Foundation Establishment realm, Gu An had more than enough expertise to guide her.
Meanwhile, Xuan Tianyi reached the Heaven Mending Platform.
Two months had passed since the Sword Master of Dao's decisive defeat of the Demon Ancestor. The Tai Xuan Sect now held the highest prestige among the Three Dynasties' sects, drawing countless cultivators to the Heaven Mending Platform to pay their respects.
Zuo Yijian stood guard beside the Heaven-Sundering Axe, flanked by several dozen disciples—all his own students.
The Heaven-Sundering Axe was a legacy left by the Sword Master of Dao to the Tai Xuan Sect's disciples, and Zuo Yijian wouldn't allow anyone from other sects to challenge its ownership.
"Only disciples of our sect may attempt to lift the Heaven-Sundering Axe!" Zuo Yijian proclaimed sternly, drawing disgruntled murmurs from the surrounding cultivators.
Some even demanded to know who he thought he was.
With an air of pride, Zuo Yijian declared, "I am Zuo Yijian, the Sword Madman of Canghu Lake. The Sword Master of Dao himself patted me on the shoulder, and even used my sword once. It is my duty to protect his legacy!"
His words silenced all protests, though many still found his behavior insufferable.
Xuan Tianyi, observing from afar, couldn't help but feel annoyed.
A mere Nascent Soul realm cultivator dared to act so arrogant?
Suddenly, Gu An's earlier warning popped into Xuan Tianyi's mind. Yes, that could work. In his next book, he'd write about how the Sword Master of Dao always patted someone on the shoulder before striking them down. That would terrify this guy.
"Xuan Tianyi, it's been a while."
A voice, light and teasing, drew Xuan Tianyi's attention. Turning, he saw a man in purple robes approaching. The man's bearing was elegant, his robes flowing gently in the breeze, and a feathered crown adorned his head. His arrival drew the gaze of many nearby disciples.
Xuan Tianyi raised his chin slightly, his tone mocking. "Ji Xuanling, long time no see. Took you long enough to reach the Mahayana Realm."
His words sent a ripple of astonishment through the crowd at the Heaven Mending Platform.
Even Zuo Yijian, standing by the Heaven-Sundering Axe, couldn't help but glance their way.
It didn't take long for someone to recognize Xuan Tianyi, which only heightened their curiosity about Ji Xuanling.
A Mahayana Realm cultivator? Weren't there only two in the entire Three Dynasties?
Ji Xuanling stopped five steps from Xuan Tianyi. They were of similar height, though Xuan Tianyi's demeanor was more haughty. Ji Xuanling, while less overtly proud, exuded an equally commanding presence.
"Brother Xuan, your progress since visiting the oceans is impressive. But tell me, are you now a disciple of the Tai Xuan Sect or the Star Sea Sect?" Ji Xuanling asked with a smile.
Xuan Tianyi scoffed. "I could join any sect I please. Could you?"
Ji Xuanling chuckled and shook his head. "Tell me, Brother Xuan, have you met the Sword Master of Dao?"
A mischievous glint appeared in Xuan Tianyi's eye. "Of course. If you'd like to meet him, it's simple. See the Heaven-Sundering Axe over there? If you can move it even an inch, I'll take you to meet the Sword Master of Dao."
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
"Then this axe must be quite difficult to move," Ji Xuanling remarked, intrigued.
Xuan Tianyi smirked. "It is. Even with my cultivation, I can only make it tremble."
Many Tai Xuan Sect disciples who had seen Xuan Tianyi try to lift the Heaven-Sundering Axe before were tempted to speak out but refrained. No one wanted to humiliate him in public.
"I'll give it a try."
Ji Xuanling turned, striding confidently toward the Heaven-Sundering Axe, with Xuan Tianyi following closely behind.
As Ji Xuanling approached the axe, Zuo Yijian made a move to stop him. However, Xuan Tianyi's spiritual pressure immediately locked him in place, rendering him immobile.
Zuo Yijian stared at Xuan Tianyi with a mixture of shock and fury.
Ignoring Zuo Yijian's reaction, Ji Xuanling stepped forward and grasped the handle of the Heaven-Sundering Axe.
By now, more and more cultivators were gathering at the Heaven Mending Platform. The platform was a microcosm of the Three Dynasties' cultivation world, featuring disciples from every major sect, including demonic sects. Due to the ongoing calamity of the Demon Tribulation, the righteous and demonic paths had temporarily put aside their differences to focus on repelling the invading demonic forces. As such, Tai Xuan Sect did not bar demonic cultivators from entering, so long as they caused no trouble.
After all, who would dare stir up trouble under the Sword Master of Dao's watchful gaze?
The moment Ji Xuanling gripped the axe, he felt the same sensation that Ji Xiaoya had described earlier:
It was utterly immovable.
Still, remembering that even Xuan Tianyi had barely managed to make the axe tremble with his full strength, Ji Xuanling felt reassured and began channeling his energy.
Boom!
The oppressive aura of a Mahayana Realm cultivator burst forth, forcing the surrounding disciples to hastily retreat.
Xuan Tianyi's eyes narrowed as he quickly erected a barrier with his own aura, directing Ji Xuanling's overwhelming energy skyward to avoid injuring others.
The commotion drew even more attention. Figures began appearing on the Heaven Mending Platform one after another—Lü Baitian, Gu Zong, Ji Hantian, and Lu Lingjun among them—all turning their gaze toward Ji Xuanling.
Ji Xuanling frowned, shifting his stance to exert more force. Streams of golden energy began emanating from his seven orifices, and the surrounding space shuddered violently.
The Heaven Mending Platform itself began to tremble under the strain. Lü Baitian and the others promptly channeled their spiritual power into the platform to stabilize it, preventing its collapse.
Despite resorting to secret techniques, Ji Xuanling still couldn't budge the Heaven-Sundering Axe. Frustration flickered across his features.
He let out a low growl, veins bulging on his neck, his face turning an alarming shade of red. The once-elegant demeanor that had drawn so much admiration was utterly gone.
Xuan Tianyi struggled to suppress a smirk.
Perfect. Just perfect.
So this is the so-called genius of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?
Ji Xuanling's entire body ignited with golden flames, making him resemble a being of fire. Yet no matter how much power he unleashed, the Heaven-Sundering Axe refused to move.
"How is this possible…" Ji Xuanling thought, his mind racing in disbelief.
He could accept failing to lift the axe. What he couldn't accept was being weaker than Xuan Tianyi.
The harder he tried, the more certain he became that the axe was utterly immovable. How had Xuan Tianyi managed it? Could it be that the resources of the Star Sea Sect surpassed even those of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?
"Enough already. If you can't lift it, you can't lift it. Are you, a so-called Sacred Land prodigy, unable to accept reality? It seems the Seven Stars Spirit Realm knows how to train cultivators but not how to cultivate their temperament." Xuan Tianyi's voice rang out, deliberately loud enough for all to hear.
His words were infuriating, yet Ji Xuanling had no choice but to endure them. Suppressing his anger, he extinguished the golden flames enveloping his body.
The overwhelming aura of the Mahayana Realm dissipated, allowing the surrounding disciples to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Xuan Tianyi released his suppression of Zuo Yijian and turned his attention to mocking Ji Xuanling, who forced himself to smile as he praised the Sword Master of Dao's unmatched power.
Seeing Ji Xuanling's humility, Zuo Yijian began to feel a twinge of sympathy for him. "Actually, Senior Xuan failed as well. He didn't make the Heaven-Sundering Axe budge an inch," Zuo Yijian said.
Ji Xuanling's smile froze at once.
Far from being offended, Xuan Tianyi seemed even more pleased.
Inwardly, he resolved to include a shoulder-patting anecdote in his next book—one that would leave Zuo Yijian sleepless for days.
Meanwhile, in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An was pondering Ji Xuanling's motives for coming.
It couldn't be to investigate him; such a public display didn't fit that purpose. Perhaps the Sacred Land was planning to integrate itself into the broader cultivation world?
After all, with the mysterious Sword Master of Dao lurking in the background, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm couldn't risk open suppression of the Tai Xuan Sect. Their past schemes had always been carried out in secret, never openly.
Still, the Lin family, with its deep roots in the Sacred Land, wouldn't let the matter rest. The Lin family was a major force within the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and their pursuit of revenge was far from over.
Gu An was prepared for it. If they wanted to play, he would be happy to oblige.
"Master, earlier Senior Xuan mentioned that Ji Xuanling came from the Sacred Land. Does this mean they're preparing to include us?" An Xin asked, pausing her sword practice.
To her, the Sacred Land was undoubtedly superior to the Tai Xuan Sect.
Hearing this, Gu An wondered if the Seven Stars Spirit Realm intended to absorb the Tai Xuan Sect. After all, facing an unknown entity like the Sword Master of Dao, they couldn't afford to openly suppress the sect. Most of their prior dealings had been in the shadows, but they couldn't maintain that facade forever.
However, the Lin family wouldn't let this slide, especially given Lin Jinxian's background.
"You think I know? Focus on your sword practice. Your skills are decent, but your mind wanders too easily. Always looking for an excuse to slack off," Gu An chided.
Blushing, An Xin returned to her training.
Gu An shifted his thoughts away from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm and began plotting his next book.
Journey to the West was long overdue. It was the perfect vehicle to subtly critique the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, awakening the broader cultivation world to their lofty arrogance.
Of course, such a book needed to be written carefully, over decades, to avoid raising suspicion. By the time the Sacred Land realized its significance, Gu An would already have ascended to the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.
The news of Ji Xuanling's failure to lift the Heaven-Sundering Axe spread rapidly, sparking celebration among Tai Xuan Sect disciples.
As the Sacred Land stepped into the role of savior, tales of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm began to emerge like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Many Tai Xuan Sect disciples saw this as an attempt to overshadow the Sword Master of Dao's achievements.
After all, where was the Sacred Land before the Demon Ancestor fell?
The fact that their so-called genius was overshadowed at Tai Xuan Sect only added to their delight.
The story quickly spread beyond the sect, captivating the entire cultivation world of the Three Dynasties. More and more cultivators flocked to the Tai Xuan Sect, eager to witness the Heaven-Sundering Axe's legend firsthand.