Gu An's calculations revealed that Ji Xiaoya, unable to encounter the Heavenly Demon Emperor, would eventually face the Xuanhuang Demon God in battle. Moreover, even stronger beings would intervene, seeking to forcibly drag her out of the Reincarnation Rule.
What a hassle.
Though Gu An had dealt with the Heavenly Demon Emperor for her, it seemed he had only drawn even more formidable entities into the fray on her behalf.
"Precisely because the Reincarnation Rule exists, even if I'm not his match, I'll be fine. At worst, I'll be banished back to the Yin-Yang Domain," Ji Xiaoya responded calmly.
Gu An refrained from revealing the future outright and instead asked, "Aren't you worried that someone even greater stands behind the Heavenly Demon Emperor?"
Ji Xiaoya closed the door behind her and walked over to the desk. Staring directly at Gu An, she said, "The appearance of the Xuanhuang Demon God already makes it clear that stronger forces are plotting from the shadows. But that has nothing to do with me. I bear no responsibility for the lives of the world."
She leaned forward, raising her right hand to reach toward Gu An.
Gu An could have dodged, but he sensed the atmosphere of farewell lingering in the room, so he chose not to evade.
Ji Xiaoya grasped Gu An's collar across the table. Her gaze was complex as she said, "We've never shared any life-altering experiences, nor have we weathered any great hardships together. Our time spent together has been so ordinary. So why do I feel this way? Why does my heart stir for the first time in my life?"
Tilting his head, Gu An replied, "You're asking me? I'm curious too. Am I just too handsome?"
Normally, Ji Xiaoya would have glared at him for such a remark. But now, she lacked the energy to care.
Suddenly, she pulled him forward with surprising force.
Gu An had ample time to react, countless thoughts flashing through his mind, but for some inexplicable reason, he chose not to resist.
The distance between them vanished in an instant, and their lips pressed together.
Gu An's eyes widened in surprise, but upon seeing the faintly resentful look in Ji Xiaoya's gaze, his urge to feign ignorance faded. He lost interest in pretending.
They stared into each other's eyes, and in that moment, the world seemed to fall into silence. Nothing else existed but the two of them.
Gu An understood what she was thinking.
Ji Xiaoya, however, couldn't discern his thoughts, though she wasn't disappointed. She had already made up her mind.
After a long while, Ji Xiaoya released him, gently pushing him back into his seat.
Her expression returned to its usual indifference, prompting Gu An to sigh. "The first time I saw you as a child, your eyes had this same cold look. I thought you didn't have feelings."
Ji Xiaoya fixed her gaze on him and said, "You guessed right. After tonight, I'll sever this bond. Your cultivation is higher than mine. If we meet again in the future, let's pretend this never happened."
Gu An asked, "Why? Are you afraid I'll become your weakness?"
Ji Xiaoya shook her head, her tone calm and emotionless. "No. I simply want to become the strongest, and so do you. How can there be two strongest people in this world?"
With that, she turned away.
Reaching the door, Ji Xiaoya paused and glanced over her shoulder at Gu An. "You're the only man I've ever had feelings for—in any lifetime."
Bang—
Ji Xiaoya opened the door and left, closing it behind her with a resounding thud.
Gu An turned his head to look out the window. The sky was shrouded in rolling demonic energy, obscuring the moon. He raised a hand to touch his lips and let out a soft laugh.
"Ah, to ask what love is—does it not drive people to vow life and death?"
Gu An muttered to himself softly. He wasn't saddened by the event; if anything, his tone carried a trace of amusement.
That morning, Ji Xiaoya left alongside the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor. Since neither of them had many acquaintances within the Medicine Valley, their departure went unnoticed by most.
Gu An strolled idly through the valley, and before long, he found himself standing before Myriad Sword Mountain. Jue Luo Sword Master stood before the stone monument, lost in contemplation as he gazed at the mountain.
"The Heavenly Spirit Great World is in grave danger, yet you're still here?" Gu An approached him and asked curiously.
Jue Luo Sword Master snapped out of his thoughts, turned to Gu An, and bowed respectfully. "If even a senior like you hasn't left, why would I? Besides, this calamity targets all beings of the world. As a Free Immortal, as long as I do not provoke them, I won't face unnecessary trouble."
Gu An nodded slightly and followed up with another question. "Has your Grand Sword of the Great Hong ever encountered such a catastrophe before?"
Jue Luo Sword Master answered, "Indeed, a long time ago. According to the records, in that era, only Grand Sword of the Great Hong survived. It was precisely because of that calamity that Grand Sword of the Great Hong earned its reputation and became qualified to traverse the heavens and universes."
As he recounted the past of Grand Sword of the Great Hong, pride was evident on his face.
"Who currently leads Grand Sword of the Great Hong?" Gu An asked out of curiosity.
Grand Sword of the Great Hong's lineage was based far away in the Great Hong Realm, making it difficult for Gu An to deduce any causality through his calculations. However, he had a hunch that Yang Ping'an was likely an ancient figure in the current era of Grand Sword of the Great Hong.
Jue Luo Sword Master responded, "At present, it is led by Supreme Sword Master, a direct descendant of Grand Sword of the Great Hong's founder. He has also inherited the founder's swordsmanship."
Hearing this, Gu An fell silent, deep in thought.
Observing Gu An's expression, Jue Luo Sword Master couldn't help but speculate.
He had always believed that Gu An possessed mastery over the Sacred Heart Sword Dao. If Gu An's cultivation were lower, it could be dismissed as a mere inheritance. However, Gu An's cultivation was immeasurable, forcing Jue Luo Sword Master to entertain the possibility that Gu An was the Sacred Heart Sword Dao itself.
Legends within Grand Sword of the Great Hong spoke of the Sword Ancestor, the master of the founder, who had never perished. Instead, the Sword Ancestor was said to have achieved eternity through the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, scattered throughout reincarnation, impossible to trace. Only when the Sacred Heart Sword Dao reappeared in the world would the Sword Ancestor be revealed.
Over the years, several individuals had comprehended the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, but none were the true Sword Ancestor. Even so, Grand Sword of the Great Hong continued its search for the Sword Ancestor, adhering to the founder's will. As long as Grand Sword of the Great Hong existed, so too would its mission to find the Sword Ancestor.
Boom—
A deafening roar erupted from the distance, accompanied by an overwhelming oppressive force.
Jue Luo Sword Master turned his head toward the source of the disturbance and remarked, "As expected, the Samsara Dao Emperor is extraordinary. No wonder she is one of the Four Emperors of Yin-Yang. My master once said her talent is the greatest among the Four Emperors, though she is also the youngest."
Gu An also looked toward the commotion.
Ji Xiaoya hadn't gone to confront the Heavenly Demon Emperor but had instead chosen to engage the Xuanhuang Demon God directly.
"Speaking of which, her relationship with the Sacred Heaven of the Heavenly Spirit Great World is quite close. If she manages to locate the Sacred Heaven, its capabilities might be able to preserve the Sacred Court. At least this way, a portion of living beings could survive, and this era wouldn't face total annihilation," Jue Luo Sword Master said with a sigh.
Gu An asked, "Have you ever heard of the Annihilation God Emperor?"
Hearing the name, Jue Luo Sword Master's expression changed drastically. He stared at Gu An in shock, hesitating for a moment before clenching his teeth and replying, "This junior dares not utter the name of the God Emperor lightly. What does senior wish to know?"
Gu An gazed up at the heavens and spoke softly, "Nothing much, really. I merely want to test the blade of the Annihilation God Emperor."
The moment these words left his lips, Jue Luo Sword Master trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to flee immediately but feared offending Gu An.
Though he couldn't ascertain Gu An's true strength, the Annihilation God Emperor was undeniably a force he could not provoke.
Even if the Annihilation God Emperor existed only as a myth, Jue Luo Sword Master's wariness remained unwavering—an instinct shared by all cultivators who had ventured into the Desolation Domain.