Faced with Ji Xiaoya's questioning gaze, Gu An naturally nodded his agreement.
The three of them found an inn and chose a seat on the second floor by the window. Gu An preferred this spot for conversations, enjoying the view of the bustling street below.
Qie Wuxing glanced at Gu An and Ji Xiaoya, then grasped his teacup, staring at the tea's surface as he spoke. "Although this is our first meeting, this young lady undoubtedly harbors an innate Dao rune within her. By the way, we are not strangers. In one of your past lives, you and I crossed paths."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted from Gu An to Ji Xiaoya, cautious as he assessed their relationship.
Seeing his hesitation, Gu An offered reassurance. "Feel free to speak, Daoist. She's curious about her past life as well."
Ji Xiaoya nodded, asking, "How long ago was that?"
Qie Wuxing smiled wistfully, replying, "Nearly twenty thousand years ago."
"Twenty thousand years?"
Both Gu An and Ji Xiaoya were visibly surprised—though Gu An's reaction was feigned. Ji Xiaoya's shock was genuine; even her family's known history didn't extend that far back.
"Twenty thousand years ago, who exactly were you? Why have you come to Tai Xuan Sect?" Ji Xiaoya asked warily.
Gu An sensed that Qie Wuxing had placed a sound barrier around them; no other patrons could overhear their conversation.
Qie Wuxing answered, "To be honest, I came to Tai Xuan Sect specifically because of you. I sensed your reincarnation. As for identity, I must address you as my senior. Back then, had it not been for your intervention, I would have long ceased to exist."
As he recounted the past, his expression grew sentimental, his gaze drifting as though lost in distant memories.
Ji Xiaoya frowned. "Why would I have reincarnated?"
Qie Wuxing explained, "I only know that you were undergoing a tribulation. Your reincarnation wasn't driven by hatred or compulsion, so you can rest assured—there is no one in this world who could harm you. In fact, I believe you to be the strongest person I have ever met."
This revelation genuinely surprised Gu An. Qie Wuxing had seen Gu An's power in the Supernatural Realm. For him to still regard Ji Xiaoya's previous self as superior hinted at unimaginable strength.
It seemed that the innate Dao rune Ji Xiaoya had exhibited in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm had not yet fully awakened, though it had been potent enough for her revenge.
Qie Wuxing continued to recount Ji Xiaoya's strength in that life.
In that era, Ji Xiaoya had called herself the Samsara Dao Emperor. Though they had only met once, her kindness had left a lasting impression on Qie Wuxing. He had long sought to repay that debt and had only recently regained his freedom.
He refrained from revealing his true identity, aware of the Spectral Wraith King's infamous reputation.
From his words, Ji Xiaoya gathered a sense of her past strength but learned nothing of the mysteries surrounding her reincarnation.
"What do you want from me?" Ji Xiaoya asked bluntly. "In my current state, I can't help you with anything."
Her wariness was evident. She feared that Qie Wuxing might harm her, forcing her past self to emerge.
Gu An listened silently, noting the name "Samsara Dao Emperor" for future investigation. He planned to inquire about it during his next visit to Xunxian Island.
For mortals, twenty thousand years was unfathomable. Yet for great cultivators, it wasn't so distant; many of today's Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals and Wandering Immortals had lived through the era of the Samsara Dao Emperor.
After a moment of hesitation, Qie Wuxing said, "A calamity threatening all living beings is about to unfold. Vast oceans and entire continents will be annihilated—including this one. I will be caught in it as well, unable to escape. The Samsara Dao Emperor once possessed a divine ability that could grant me freedom. Even if it meant reincarnation, I would gladly accept it."
Gu An raised an eyebrow at this revelation.
If Qie Wuxing was to be believed, the Supernatural Realm Lord himself might perish. Why, then, would an opposing force seek to destroy all living beings?
Gu An had long suspected the Supernatural Realm's appearance wasn't coincidental. The Realm Lord's cautious behavior suggested he feared something, for otherwise, his power would have crushed all opposition.
"But I'm not the Samsara Dao Emperor," Ji Xiaoya said hesitantly.
Qie Wuxing shook his head. "You need not worry. I'm not here to demand your immediate help. When the calamity comes, no one will be spared. At that moment, your original consciousness will awaken. Just remember me when the time comes."
Ji Xiaoya's frown deepened.
Turning to Gu An, Qie Wuxing said, "It's best not to spread word of this. Even the strongest forces at sea or within Tai Xuan Sect cannot prepare in advance. Let the cultivators here enjoy their lives while they can. If this news spreads, the calamity might arrive sooner."
Gu An nodded. "I understand. I just have one question: how soon will this calamity happen? If it's a few hundred years away, I can rest easy."
Qie Wuxing chuckled, finding this Core Formation cultivator unexpectedly amusing.
Ji Xiaoya glared at Gu An but couldn't deny that his lighthearted question eased her tension.
"It could come as soon as a few decades or as late as a few centuries. Powerful forces are locked in a game beyond comprehension. All I can say is, when the seas begin to rise, the calamity will be near."
Qie Wuxing' words deepened Ji Xiaoya's unease.
With that, he stood, bowed, and said, "I've said all I needed to. I won't disturb you further."
As he left the floor, the sound barrier dissipated.
Gu An turned to Ji Xiaoya with a grin. "Your background is quite intimidating. I won't dare tease you anymore."
Ji Xiaoya scoffed. "Aren't you teasing me right now?"
"So, after hearing all that, what do you think?"
"I'm not happy. Although I've long suspected that I'm the same person as the Third Miss you mentioned, I honestly didn't want my suspicion to be true. Now that I've learned more about my identity, I'm even less happy," Ji Xiaoya said calmly. Her tone was steady, devoid of any emotion as she spoke.
Gu An looked at her with a subtle expression.
He had always subconsciously regarded the Ji Xiaoya of this life as the same person as her past self, even if their personalities were different. In his heart, they were one and the same.
But different memories and experiences shape a person. Even if the soul remains the same, the person is fundamentally different.
A person's identity is not just about their soul—it's the culmination of their experiences.
Gu An reassured her, "If you're unhappy, then focus on cultivating. Make this lifetime last longer, or perhaps even seek the Dao."
Ji Xiaoya shook her head. "I cannot attain the Dao. I will die someday. My cultivation is only to make this life longer and allow me to experience more. The reason I pester you often is merely to make this lifetime richer."
She paused, then smiled brightly. "Besides, you yourself can only live for a few hundred years. What's the point of comforting me? Don't worry. Even if I'm unhappy, I'm willing to accept this reality."
Accept it?
Gu An didn't pursue the topic further. Instead, he called over the waiter, ordered a table full of fine wine and dishes, and began chatting with Ji Xiaoya about the alchemy conference.
Ji Xiaoya's attention shifted, and the two of them acted as if the conversation with Qie Wuxing had never happened.
…
The alchemy conference eventually concluded, and the winner was a cultivator from overseas—a disciple of the Purple Pill Palace. For many, it was the first time hearing of the Purple Pill Palace, an ancient sect focused on alchemy. Through this conference, they introduced many unique alchemy techniques.
The Purple Pill Palace also agreed to take a group of Tai Xuan Sect disciples to their sect to study alchemy. This news thrilled the entire Tai Xuan Sect.
Gu An, however, continued to pay close attention to Qie Wuxing. The man remained within Tai Xuan Sect and had even officially become an inner sect disciple.
Other than Gu An, no one knew the truth about his cultivation level.
Even Shen Xin Zi and the Nine-Finger Divine Lord couldn't see through him. By late summer, Qie Wuxing had already become a regular in the Third Medicine Valley's chess area.
On this day.
Gu An had just returned from the North Sea Mountain Range. He arrived at Xuan Valley and began discussing valley matters with Lu Jiujia.
Suddenly, he sensed an intense battle aura from afar.
It came from within the Great Rift of the Broken Sea!
The pressure surpassed that of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm!
This meant that the Supernatural Realm Lord himself had likely intervened.
It seemed that what Qie Wuxing had said might indeed be true.
"All right, I approve. I'll discuss with the sect about expanding Xuan Valley," Gu An nodded.
Lu Jiujia beamed with joy. Gu An always allocated him a share of the valley's profits, and the larger the valley, the greater his cut.
Since cultivating the Dao Yan Technique, Lu Jiujia had rekindled his passion for cultivation. The technique required a significant amount of herbs for him to progress.
Gu An suddenly recalled something. "Release your suppressed cultivation level by the end of this year. Consume all the pills you have."
Lu Jiujia frowned. "Why? Can't I wait a little longer?"
Why?
Because you can only live up to 190 years old!
Gu An didn't reveal this harsh truth. Instead, he said, "I've obtained a higher-level cultivation method. When the time comes, I'll pass it to you. You'll be able to release your suppressed cultivation multiple times in the future."
Lu Jiujia's face lit up with excitement, and he eagerly agreed.
Gu An patted his shoulder before leaving.
Lu Jiujia began to imagine the transformations he would undergo after releasing his cultivation restrictions.
Gu An made his way to the Third Medicine Valley and headed to the chess area.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord was once again engaged in a match—this time against Qie Wuxing.
Having mastered the rules of Go, Qie Wuxing had quickly risen to dominate the Tai Xuan Sect's chess circles. The Nine-Finger Divine Lord, unable to see through his opponent's hidden cultivation, was visibly frustrated.
Of course, the Nine-Finger Divine Lord suspected that Qie Wuxing was no ordinary individual. Gu An's background was easy to investigate, as he had joined Tai Xuan Sect at fifteen and had previously served as a Ji family retainer. His age left no room for secrecy. Qie Wuxing, on the other hand, was different. He came from overseas.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord glanced at Qie Wuxing, feeling irritated.
Who exactly is this guy?
Qie Wuxing, meanwhile, smiled faintly and fanned himself. He wasn't concerned about the Nine-Finger Divine Lord's suspicions. With his cultivation level, there was no way the Nine-Finger Divine Lord could uncover the truth.
In the entire Tai Xuan Sect, Qie Wuxing feared only one person: the Sword Master of the Dao, Gu An's sect elder. Fortunately, the Sword Master seemed to tolerate him as long as he caused no trouble.
"I lost," the Nine-Finger Divine Lord finally admitted, taking a deep breath.
This was the sixth time he had lost to Qie Wuxing, and his frustration was evident.
The onlookers cheered, further dampening the Nine-Finger Divine Lord's mood.
Qie Wuxing rose with a smile. "To celebrate this victory, how about I teach everyone a useful defensive spell?"
The disciples erupted in cheers, their excitement drawing the attention of others nearby.