Lü Baitian sat down and began asking Gu An what kind of grand event could be organized next to attract greater attention.
Ye Lan, Zhen Qin, and Shen Zhen stood on the side, listening attentively. They were curious about how Gu An strategized for Lü Baitian.
Gu An pondered for a moment and said, "Tai Xuan Sect has already held many events. While the types have varied, for the majority of disciples, there hasn't been much personal engagement. Additionally, other sects have started to imitate us. No matter what type of event we host next, it's becoming increasingly difficult to stand out and expand our influence."
Lü Baitian nodded in agreement. He, too, was troubled by this. Other sects weren't fools. Once they saw Tai Xuan Sect benefit from such events, they quickly followed suit. Especially after Cang Tian Sect joined the trend, cultivators across the world eagerly participated, leading to a decline in Tai Xuan Sect's dominance.
To this day, Cang Tian Sect remained the leading sect in the cultivation world of the Three Dynasties.
Even Shen Zhen fell into deep thought.
Although the Great Yu Dynasty was no more, Dao Tian Sect still existed, and now they had established a close relationship with Tai Xuan Sect. The better Tai Xuan Sect developed, the more it benefited Dao Tian Sect.
Gu An continued, "In truth, Tai Xuan Sect holds the greatest advantage. We have two Mahayana Realm experts and the mysterious Sword Master of the Dao. This is something Cang Tian Sect cannot compare with. If we want to overshadow Cang Tian Sect, why not host a Heavenly Ranking Tournament? No age or cultivation realm restrictions—just a battle of strength, determining the top one hundred. Announce this, and the entire cultivation world will be shaken. Any sect that refuses to participate will be ridiculed."
"If Cang Tian Sect dares not participate, they will naturally appear weaker in the eyes of the world. If they do, then we can fairly determine who is superior. Let's see if their Dao Monarch can defeat Elder Xuan and Elder Qiao."
Lü Baitian's eyes lit up at the suggestion, but he still hesitated and said, "A battle between Mahayana cultivators—what if they lose control in the heat of the moment? How do we stop them?"
Gu An thought for a moment and replied, "How about hosting it in the outer sect area? Use the Sword Master's presence as a deterrent."
Lü Baitian frowned slightly, still uncertain.
In truth, even Tai Xuan Sect's upper echelon feared the Sword Master of the Dao. They had no idea what he was after or where he came from. At first, they hoped the Sword Master was merely a hidden master cultivated by Tai Xuan Sect, but the increasing visibility of immortals made it clear: Tai Xuan Sect's soil could not have produced such a figure. The Sword Master of the Dao was simply too strong, forcing them to accept the reality.
"If you're worried about displeasing the Sword Master, you can allocate part of the tournament's proceeds to the Heaven Mending Platform as an offering to him. Show your sincerity," Gu An suggested.
Lü Baitian hesitated, "Would that be appropriate?"
Gu An continued, "You can explain it in front of the Heaven-Sundering Axe. The Sword Master is an immortal and will naturally hear you. As long as you clarify the benefits, he will likely acquiesce."
"After the Heavenly Ranking Tournament, as long as Tai Xuan Sect's cultivators secure the number one title, no other sect will have the right to host such a tournament. Only the world's strongest sect can hold it. If Cang Tian Sect cannot claim the title, their morale will plummet."
"Like the Golden Rankings Tournament, the Heavenly Ranking should also be recorded and widely distributed. At first, make it free for all cultivators. Once its influence spreads, you can charge spirit stones for future editions."
The logic was simple: Tai Xuan Sect only needed to declare this, and the plan would succeed.
Throughout history, other sects had likely thought of this but dared not act on it. Hosting a tournament to gather the world's strongest cultivators within one's sect was a risky endeavor. If things spiraled out of control, the sect could face destruction.
Tai Xuan Sect, however, was different. They had the Sword Master of the Dao, an existence that broke the balance of power.
Shen Zhen couldn't help but comment, "This strategy is ruthless. The other sects won't be able to refuse. Even if they know they can't claim the top spot, they'll still have to participate."
The more Lü Baitian considered the idea, the more he felt it was feasible. If Tai Xuan Sect secured the top ranking, they would attract even more powerful cultivators in the future.
"What if cultivators from the Sacred Lands or overseas join in?" Lü Baitian asked hesitantly.
Gu An smiled, "Wouldn't that prove Tai Xuan Sect's influence even more? If even Sacred Land cultivators can't resist participating, it shows how significant the tournament is. All we need to ensure is that Tai Xuan Sect's participants are the highest-ranked among the Three Dynasties."
Lü Baitian agreed and began discussing the specific details with Gu An.
It wasn't enough to make bold proclamations; they needed tangible benefits to attract participants.
Ye Lan watched as Gu An and Lü Baitian discussed matters involving the fate of the cultivation world, and she felt a deep sense of admiration. Her senior brother was indeed not destined to live an ordinary life.
Zhen Qin, however, was already daydreaming about the Heavenly Ranking Tournament.
The number one in the world—who wouldn't want that?
While she wasn't qualified to compete, she still wanted to witness who would claim the top spot.
An hour later, Lü Baitian hurriedly left, not even staying for the Spring Festival.
Gu An led the three women downstairs to enjoy the festival atmosphere with the disciples. The Third Medicine Valley was bustling, and even a small market had been set up, making it extremely lively.
As night approached, Lu Lingjun returned. Given the massive gap in cultivation between her and the three women, no conflict occurred. Besides, Lu Lingjun was preoccupied and didn't concern herself with Gu An's relationships.
Gu An made a brief visit to Xuan Valley to drink with his disciples before returning to the Third Medicine Valley to celebrate with the others.
A few days later, late at night, Gu An watched as Lü Baitian arrived at the Heaven-Sundering Axe with dozens of elders. They set up an array to prevent their conversation from being overheard by other disciples and cultivators.
After explaining the details of the Heavenly Ranking Tournament, there was no response from the Heaven-Sundering Axe. They assumed the Sword Master of the Dao had tacitly agreed.
Gu An began looking forward to the benefits the Heavenly Ranking Tournament would bring. Soon, he could purchase even more high-grade spirit herbs.
The next morning, Gu Zong led a large group of cultivators to look for Lu Lingjun. These cultivators were no ordinary group—the weakest among them were at the Void Crossing Realm, and there were more than a hundred of them.
Lu Lingjun immediately led the disciples south, while Gu Zong stayed behind to chat with Gu An briefly before departing.
Gu An didn't ask what Lu Lingjun was doing. There was no need to guess; it was certainly related to the overseas Ascendants.
A month later.
Tai Xuan Sect announced the Heavenly Ranking Tournament to the world. Notices about the tournament quickly spread across the cultivation cities, and at the same time, Lü Baitian sent invitations to all the major sects—leaving no room for negotiation.
The world was shaken!
The high-ranking leaders of the various sects were furious, cursing Tai Xuan Sect for their shamelessness. But the mid- and low-level cultivators were filled with excitement.
Many people were curious—excluding the Sword Master of the Dao, who was truly the strongest in the world?
The Sword Master of the Dao was considered far too powerful. Cultivators of the Three Dynasties regarded him as an outsider, leaving the title of "World's Strongest" for the native cultivators still unsettled.
Gu An rode the Blood Prison Saint into the outer sect city. Along the way, disciples excitedly discussed the tournament, their enthusiasm evident.
Following closely beside the Blood Prison Saint, Yang Jian listened intently, his heart ignited with passion.
He couldn't help but wonder: Would there ever come a day when he could rank on the Heavenly Ranking?
On the way, Yang Jian noticed Gu An frequently greeting people, his connections vast. Some of those he greeted were cultivators leading large groups, which made Yang Jian admire him even more.
Earlier that morning, Gu An had instructed Xiao Chuan to pass a message to Yang Jian—he was to accompany Gu An to the outer sect city. The news left Yang Jian elated.
This was a sign that Gu An was finally starting to accept him!
Not only did Yang Jian think this way, but other menial disciples thought the same. Inspired, many of them began imitating Yang Jian's diligence, flocking around the White Spirit Mouse to curry favor. Gu An, however, found the situation exasperating.
Suddenly, Gu An asked, "Yang Jian, are you willing to formally acknowledge me as your master?"
The question stunned Yang Jian, who stood in a daze and stammered, "What?"
Gu An glanced at him, sending chills down Yang Jian's spine.
"You idiot! Master is asking if you're willing to take him as your teacher!" The Blood Prison Saint mocked in a sarcastic tone, though, deep down, he was genuinely looking out for Yang Jian.
Over the past five years, Yang Jian had tended to him diligently. The Blood Prison Saint had grown fond of the boy and wanted to give him a push forward.
Others might not know Gu An's true cultivation, but the Blood Prison Saint knew it very well.
This Tai Xuan Sect's strongest existence was none other than Gu An. He even suspected that the legendary Sword Master of the Dao was actually Gu An in disguise.
"Ah? I'm willing! I'm willing! Master, please accept my respect!"
Overjoyed, Yang Jian dropped to his knees on the street.
The surrounding disciples all turned to look at him with strange expressions.
Gu An didn't mind the scene at all and calmly accepted Yang Jian's formal greeting. After he kowtowed three times, Gu An motioned for him to rise.
The Blood Prison Saint continued forward, while Yang Jian followed closely behind, trembling with excitement.
Having spent five years in the Third Medicine Valley, Yang Jian had long idolized Gu An. Though Gu An appeared to have only Core Formation Realm cultivation, the valley secretly housed cultivators at the Profound Heart Realm. This made Yang Jian's imagination run wild.
The Blood Prison Saint shot a glance at the trembling Yang Jian and felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.
Why?
What was so special about this boy? He was the very definition of mediocrity!
Yet even someone like him could become Gu An's disciple, while I—a once-unmatched ascendant—was nothing more than a mount.
The Blood Prison Saint was overwhelmed with complex emotions.
If he hadn't been so arrogant when he first ascended… If he hadn't relentlessly pursued Li Ya and Zhang Buku, maybe he wouldn't have ended up like this.
But upon further thought, he felt slightly comforted. If not for those events, even if I cultivated for another thousand years, I might never have encountered a great cultivator like Gu An. And even if I did, I'd probably be slapped to death.
This was, in a twisted way, a blessing in disguise.
"He can have many disciples, but I will be his only mount. That means something different!" The Blood Prison Saint's thoughts grew more excitable.
The saying went, "Even a dog's worth depends on its master."
No—he was no mere dog!
A disciple might one day become independent, but a mount… A mount was forever!
Even if Gu An released him in a thousand years, he would remain loyal. He would declare himself Gu An's mount for eternity, ensuring Gu An would always be his support in Heavenly Spirit World.
The more he thought, the more excited the Blood Prison Saint became. His body trembled with enthusiasm.
Gu An looked down at him and then glanced at Yang Jian, who also seemed oddly thrilled. For a moment, he grew worried—Would Yang Jian end up being corrupted by the Blood Prison Saint's eccentricity?
Just then, a ragged old man suddenly appeared in their path, blocking the Blood Prison Saint. He stared at Gu An with wide, frantic eyes and muttered, "Disaster is coming to the mortal realm. The ocean will swallow everything. The Calamity of World Annihilation approaches…"
The Blood Prison Saint stopped and looked at him suspiciously.
Yang Jian was also drawn to the strange old man's words.
After speaking, the old man turned and wandered off. He stopped another passing cultivator and began repeating the same ominous warning.