The words "Free Immortal" etched themselves deeply into the hearts of Tian Qing and Tian Bai. Both resolved to make the Free Immortal Realm their ultimate goal. Only years later would they realize just how unattainable that realm truly was.
Although Tian Yao'er was curious about what had just transpired, she knew her current priority was to break through her tribulation.
She closed her eyes, adjusted her mindset, and returned to a meditative state, fully immersed in her comprehension.
The tribulation continued.
The Heavenly Demon Emperor, who had suppressed seven Free Immortals, perished without so much as a whisper. No one took notice, as if he had never set foot in the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven.
Meanwhile, Gu An kept a close watch on Tian Yao'er's tribulation while simultaneously spreading his divine sense across the realm. He continued exterminating Heavenly Demon and occasionally intervened to save mortal lives.
The roars of the Xuanhuang Demon God echoed incessantly. With every passing moment, countless lives were lost to his overwhelming power. More and more sects rallied their forces and marched toward the Xuanhuang Demon God's location.
No matter how terrifying the Xuanhuang Demon God seemed, the defenders of the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven had no choice but to face him head-on. This was their homeland—they had nowhere else to go.
Gu An noted that the Sun Immortal Emperor and the other Free Immortals were not dead. Instead, they had gathered in a single location and seemed to be discussing something.
In a secluded valley, seven Free Immortals sat cross-legged on a grassy plain. Their auras were weak, and some of their bodies still burned with lingering spiritual flames, leaving them looking battered and defeated.
The Sacred Ancestor opened his eyes and looked toward the white-robed elder standing with his back to them in the distance. He asked, "Who are you, Senior? Why did you save us? You don't seem to belong to the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven."
Among the seven Free Immortals, the Sacred Ancestor was the oldest. He had never seen this white-robed elder before, leading him to such a conclusion.
This white-robed elder was none other than the reincarnator who had once visited the Third Medicine Valley and locked gazes with the Jueluo Sword Master.
Without turning around, the elder responded leisurely, "The heavens and the earth are vast. Even as Free Immortals, you may not see the entire picture. As for why I saved you, it's because I have ties to the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven."
He paused briefly before continuing, "I have deduced countless possibilities and found no hope. Perhaps this is the will of Heaven, seeking to cleanse the mortal world, with the Desolation Domain exploiting the chaos for their own gain. You all should leave while you still can and seek another path."
The Free Immortals' faces darkened at his words.
"Senior, your divine abilities are beyond our comprehension, as evidenced by your ability to save us from the Xuanhuang Demon God. If the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven were to be destroyed, where else could we go? The great heavens are many, but each is guarded by powerful beings. Could you guide us toward a path of survival?" the Ancient Immortal Emperor asked, his tone heavy.
The other Free Immortals voiced their agreement. They were tied to the fortunes of either the Sacred Court or the Immortal Dynasty, both of which were intertwined with the fate of the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven. Should the realm fall, their own destinies would collapse as well, leaving them to face either regression in cultivation or complete annihilation.
It was precisely because of this link to the realm's fortune that, no matter how strong the Sacred Court became, it could never fully uproot the Immortal Dynasty.
The white-robed elder, still facing away, shook his head and said, "You do not understand the true nature of what you are facing. Neither the Heavenly Demon Clan nor the forces from the Xuanyou are the primary threats to the destruction of the Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven. They are merely opportunists, exploiting the circumstances."
The Free Immortals fell silent. Having lived for countless years, how could they not know of the existence of Heaven's will? Ancient legends often spoke of similar calamities.
Whenever Heaven sought to reset the world, disasters of unimaginable scale would inevitably arise.
After a long pause, the Sun Immortal Emperor broke the silence. Staring intently at the white-robed elder, he asked, "What are you seeking, Senior?"
The white-robed elder finally turned around to face them. His gaze was calm as he said, "I am looking for someone."
"Who?"
"That, I cannot tell you."
The elder's refusal caused the Sun Immortal Emperor to frown. He recalled the Sword Master of the Dao, a being whose name had long shaken the world. Over the years, many powerful entities from beyond the heavens had appeared. Could they all be searching for the same person?
Roar—!
A deafening bellow from the distance interrupted their thoughts. This time, the Xuanhuang Demon God's roar sounded strained, as if he were under attack.
The white-robed elder smiled faintly and said, "Do not challenge the Xuanhuang Demon God any further. None of you are his match. And behind him stands an even greater existence. Even if you somehow manage to destroy him, you will only provoke an even more terrifying calamity. At that point, even I will have no choice but to flee."
"An even more terrifying existence?"
The Free Immortals paled at his words.
The Xuanhuang Demon God alone was enough to push them to despair. What kind of being could stand behind such a monster and command him?
"Senior, do you know the Sword Master of the Dao?" one of the Free Immortals couldn't help but ask.
The Sword Master of the Dao had long been a name that resounded across the heavens. Though he rarely acted, those of higher cultivation realms could not ignore his existence.
The mention of the Sword Master of the Dao caused a subtle change in the expression of the white-robed elder. After a moment, he replied, "I don't know him personally, but I have seen his unparalleled bearing from afar. He, too, has surpassed the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Dao. It would be best if you avoided mentioning his name lightly, lest you invite great karma upon yourselves. As for seeking his aid, that's even less feasible. Should he intervene, his future adversaries will surely be of the same terrifying level as himself."
Hearing this, the Free Immortals were completely disheartened. They raised their heads in unison, gazing helplessly at the oppressive black clouds above. The sky was so heavy and dark that it obscured the sun, leaving no trace of light or hope.
Several hours later, with Gu An's support, Tian Yao'er successfully passed her tribulation. However, in her excitement, her robes had been blasted apart. Gu An quickly enveloped her with his own energy to shield her from revealing too much.
Noticing the faint upward curve of Tian Yao'er's lips, Gu An couldn't help but wonder, "Was this intentional?"
Of course, as a man of integrity, he refused to linger on such thoughts. After all, with his cultivation level, one glance was enough to imprint an image forever in his memory—a notion he would rather avoid.
Meanwhile, Tian Qing and Tian Bai observed Gu An's expression intently. Noticing his unchanged demeanor, the two began to exchange whispered transmissions.
"What do you think? Does the Master like her?"
"He probably doesn't. He didn't show any reaction."
"The less he reacts, the more it proves he's tempted."
"Really? Should we try something like this next time we break through?"
"If we're going to do that, we better make sure our figures stand out. That way, it'll feel fresh to him."
Hearing their spiritual transmissions, Gu An could only sigh internally. What do they take me for?
He didn't understand their fascination—or that of Jiang Qiong's either. These women always seemed to be longing for something from him. Even his junior sister, though hers was more understandable, given their history as childhood sweethearts who had journeyed together from mortals to their current states.
Each harbored their own thoughts while they waited for Tian Yao'er to stabilize her cultivation. Her rapid breakthrough was undoubtedly due to Gu An's assistance. Normally, surviving such a tribulation could take several days.
It wasn't until dusk that Tian Yao'er's aura fully stabilized. She stood, now clad in a loose white robe, and launched herself toward Gu An, throwing her arms around him. Gu An felt her form pressing against him and frowned slightly.
"Alright, from now on, you're a Nirvana Realm expert. You should start paying more attention to decorum," Gu An said sternly.
Tian Yao'er looked up at him with a mischievous smile and replied, "Nope. I want to stay like this. Even if it means clinging to the Master forever, I'd happily do so."
"Forever? Wouldn't that tire you out?" Gu An shook his head with a faint smile.
Tian Yao'er blinked her bright eyes at him. "Then how about a hundred years?"
"A hundred years?"
Gu An's face twitched at her audacity, and he immediately pushed her away.
Tian Qing and Tian Bai quickly stepped forward, surrounding Tian Yao'er and asking her about her experience. Tian Yao'er, clearly thrilled, began to describe the marvels of the Nirvana Realm. Tian Qing and Tian Bai listened intently, their curiosity unabated.
Gu An, however, remained unhurried. While the women conversed, he focused on purging more Heavenly Demon from the realm. By this point, his accumulated lifespan gain had already reached nearly one billion years. To achieve such a feat under normal circumstances would have taken over a century.
With Gu An's covert interventions, the Heavenly Demon Cult temporarily lacked the power to overrun the world. Meanwhile, the Xuanhuang Demon God, though devastating, seemed to be limiting his destruction to preserve the realm.
As night fell, Gu An escorted the three women back to their secluded abode within the mystical cave domain. Only then did he return to the Third Medicine Valley.
Before ascending to his room, he sensed Ji Xiaoya's presence. Her cultivation had already reached the threshold of the Immortal Dao Realm. The power accumulated within her innate Dao rune could erupt at any moment.
Gu An chose not to linger. He climbed the stairs, entered his room, and sat at his desk. Picking up a book, he began to read.
Today, he had slain countless Heavenly Demon and saved countless mortal lives, leaving his conscience clear. This allowed him to immerse himself in his reading with ease.
After the time it took for one incense stick to burn, footsteps approached from outside. Gu An waved his hand, opening the door. Ji Xiaoya entered.
She stopped at the threshold, where the moonlight didn't reach her. In the dim room, she appeared almost like a shadow.
Gu An glanced up at her and asked, "Are you ready?"
Ji Xiaoya's expression remained calm. "Fighting the Heavenly Demon Emperor is a promise I made to him. I must defeat him to overcome the shadow of my past failure."
"But you're bound by the rules of reincarnation. There's no way you can defeat him," Gu An replied, feigning concern as he began calculating her fate.
And just as expected, the future had shifted once again.