Chapter 132: Chapter 132 Mountain God, Ill-fated Relationship

Gu An heard Sage Xuan Miao’s muttering, which left him silent.

Did he come seeking fortune and find my home?

His gaze fell on the compass in Sage Xuan Miao’s hand, curious about what kind of treasure could locate fortune, far surpassing his White Spirit Rat.

Since the appearance of the Mystic Pure Tree, the White Spirit Rat had been napping all day, no longer venturing out to search for treasures, essentially becoming useless.

The forest in the deep night was eerie and quiet, with a faint mist swirling among the woods. Although Sage Xuan Miao could see the shadows of ghosts drifting by, he remained unmoved.

Whoosh—

A gust of wind blew from the front, causing Sage Xuan Miao’s robes to flutter, making him squint.

“The land of the Mountain God, mortals are forbidden to enter.”

A mysterious and ethereal voice emerged, causing Sage Xuan Miao to halt his steps. He looked around, unable to detect the speaker’s presence, not even with his divine sense.

Sage Xuan Miao was certain he hadn’t misheard, so he cupped his hands and said, “This humble Taoist hails from Three Pure Ones Mountain of the Chentang Dynasty, a sole disciple of the Taiqing Lineage, Li Xuanmiao.”

Li?

Li Xuanmiao, Li Xuandao—Gu An wouldn’t believe they were unrelated even if beaten to death.

The name “Three Pure Ones” also made Gu An think of the Three Pure Ones in Huaxia’s Taoist myths from his previous life, wondering if there was any connection.

It should be unrelated; otherwise, writing “Investiture of the Gods” would have already caused trouble.

Perhaps the Dao of the Three Pure Ones illuminates myriad heavens, showing signs of Three Pure Ones in both this world and the Huaxia World?

Gu An’s thoughts raced, not answering immediately.

Sage Xuan Miao continued, “This humble Taoist seeks fortune, wondering if I might have the honor of meeting the Mountain God?”

He didn’t seem to doubt Gu An’s words, making Gu An ponder.

Could Mountain Gods truly exist, making Sage Xuan Miao find it unsurprising?

This made Gu An suddenly want to get to know Sage Xuan Miao, to increase his understanding of this world.

“Why seek the Mountain God?”

Gu An’s voice echoed again, its source still elusive.

Sage Xuan Miao replied, “Mortal immortals and gods are elusive. If I could meet one, it would be life’s fortune. Of course, this humble Taoist also has a personal desire.”

Meeting the Mountain God pleased him greatly, more meaningful than finding a treasure.

With his cultivation at the Divinity Transformation Stage, he scanned all directions, unable to find the other party, indicating their cultivation level was vastly superior—whether or not they were a Mountain God.

The fact that the other party didn’t attack him directly suggested they weren’t a great evildoer. Whether a Mountain God or not, they were worth befriending.

Whoosh—

A gust of wind blew in his face, stirring up fallen leaves, forcing Sage Xuan Miao to raise his hand to shield himself.

When the wind passed, Sage Xuan Miao looked ahead, his pupils suddenly narrowing, face full of astonishment.

Following his gaze, there stood a small white-clad figure on a large tree in front.

That’s right!

A small figure!

Only three inches high, easily held with one hand!

This figure wore white clothes and a theatrical mask, looking extremely mysterious.

This white-clad figure was Gu An, who used the Great and Minor Ruyi Divine Power to shrink himself.

Great and Minor Ruyi was a divine power awakened through the Primordial Ruyi Skill, his Energy Concealing Skill evolved from the Energy Nurturing Skill.

Sage Xuan Miao immediately knelt on one knee, raising his hand in salute, saying, “Li Xuanmiao pays respects to the Mountain God!”

He could feel this wasn’t an illusion. It was his first time seeing such a small person, making him instantly believe the other was a Mountain God.

After all, he had never seen either spell or divine power that could shrink a person, only spells that drew people into small spaces.

Gu An leaped on the branches, reaching the branch’s end to overlook Sage Xuan Miao, asking, “What is the treasure in your hand?”

He cast a Life Span Detection.

[Sage Xuan Miao (Divinity Transformation Stage Fifth Level): 198/900/4500]

Four thousand five hundred years as his maximum life span?

A bit inconsistent with his performance.

The legacy of Three Pure Ones Mountain seemed strong!

Sage Xuan Miao hurriedly replied, “This is a treasured family heirloom of my Three Pure Ones Mountain passed down through generations. As long as I carry it, once my qi fortune connects with the treasure, it will guide me to my destined fortune, accelerating my growth process.”

As he said this, he smiled.

Destiny led him to meet the Mountain God!

Gu An wondered if Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion rightfully belonged to Sage Xuan Miao.

Very likely so. If not for his golden finger akin to a system, he wouldn’t have come to the North Sea Mountains to undergo tribulation, nor would he have cracked open Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion. Thus, it wouldn’t naturally belong to him.

Thinking this way, it seemed Gu An had taken Sage Xuan Miao’s opportunity.

Sage Xuan Miao continued, “Senior Mountain God, I just accepted a disciple, but he is poisoned. I can’t cure him. Could you take a look?”

He was initially seeking fortune but hadn’t expected to encounter a Mountain God. Since gods existed, they should help alleviate his worries.

Gu An remained silent, left hand touching his chin, right hand holding his left elbow, swaying contemplatively as he looked at Sage Xuan Miao.

Sage Xuan Miao understood, his right hand flipping to reveal a lingzhi in his palm, which he offered with both hands, saying, “This is a Sixth Grade Earth Spirit Lingzhi, hoping the Mountain God likes it.”

Gu An lifted a hand to capture the lingzhi in his grasp. This Earth Spirit Lingzhi was larger than his entire body, making him look quite comical as he held it.

Sage Xuan Miao didn’t find it amusing; rather, he found it endearing.

The behavior and thoughts of immortals and gods shouldn’t be speculated or defined by mortals.

“Bring your disciple here at this time tomorrow night,” Gu An said.

Sage Xuan Miao immediately expressed his gratitude. When he raised his hand again, Gu An had already vanished.

He smiled, getting up to leave without pressing forward, which made Gu An feel satisfied.

At the very least, Sage Xuan Miao didn’t seem like a deeply scheming or overly calculative person.

When Gu An had previously inspected Sage Xuan Miao, he had seen his demonic disciple and identified the type of poison in him. Fortunately, he could cure it.

Once Sage Xuan Miao was far away, Gu An returned to the Eight Scenic Caves to begin alchemy.

He took out the ephemeral flower he had kept for a long time, placed it into the pill furnace, and then conjured Taiching True Fire to ignite the dry firewood under the furnace.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

Could the alchemy technique of Mystic Valley also be derived from Three Pure Ones Mountain, capable of producing Taiching True Fire?

Quite possible!

…

The next night, Sage Xuan Miao brought his disciple to the same misty forest.

The fox demon boy was very nervous, clinging to Sage Xuan Miao, eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, fearing evil spirits would appear.

Sage Xuan Miao raised his robe hem and knelt, making the fox demon boy kneel as well.

After kneeling for a while, a gust of wind blew.

A thumb-sized pill rolled to Sage Xuan Miao’s knees. He couldn’t help but pick it up.

“Let your disciple take it.”

Gu An’s voice floated by, and Sage Xuan Miao, without hesitation, had the fox demon boy swallow it.

The pill melted instantly in the mouth. Sage Xuan Miao held the fox demon boy’s wrist to carefully sense, soon showing a delighted expression.

He looked up and asked, “May I ask, Mountain God, what poison afflicted my disciple?”

“The poison of the ephemeral flower. He must have visited the ephemeral flower’s habitat and inadvertently ingested it,” Gu An replied from a tree branch.

The fox demon boy stared wide-eyed at the tiny Mountain God.

Upon hearing this, Sage Xuan Miao’s face darkened, gritting his teeth, “The Ephemera Sect has brought harm for millennia, its sins unforgivable!”

Gu An squatted on the branch, observing them, and said, “Your disciple is saved. You should leave now. Remember, do not reveal my existence to anyone, or I will come for you.”

Sage Xuan Miao raised his head, saying, “Mountain God, could you teach me the ultimate skill to become the world’s strongest? I am willing to exchange everything I have.”

Being defeated by An Hao had become his deep-seated issue.

It was also why he hadn’t returned, unable to face his peers.

“World’s strongest? If you could become the world’s strongest, you wouldn’t seek me. Since you can’t become the world’s strongest, your everything couldn’t match its value,” Gu An said indifferently.

Sage Xuan Miao looked troubled, but hope ignited in his heart.

The Mountain God hadn’t refused him!

He had only intended to probe, not expecting a real chance.

Indeed, no disciple of Three Pure Ones Mountain had ever encountered a Land Immortal; it showed how rare immortals and gods were.

Sage Xuan Miao said earnestly, “Please enlighten me, Mountain God. As long as it’s within my power and doesn’t violate the principles of Three Pure Ones Mountain, I will definitely comply!”

Gu An feigned deep contemplation, arms crossed, and after a while, he suddenly said, “I have it. The divine skill you used to summon Mystic Heart Realm cultivators before, exchange it with me.”

Sage Xuan Miao’s face changed dramatically.

His respect for the Mountain God deepened!

The Mountain God could discern even his backer’s realm, demonstrating the Mountain God’s high dao level!

And the battle had taken place far from here!

Sage Xuan Miao hurriedly said, “This divine skill is called Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate. It can only summon others and won’t harm beings. I’m willing to exchange it with you, Mountain God.”

As he spoke, he took out a scroll from his sleeve, raising it with both hands.

Gu An lifted a hand, capturing the scroll. After a brief scan with his divine sense, confirming its authenticity, he waved his right hand.

A book swiftly landed before Sage Xuan Miao.

The Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body!

Sage Xuan Miao’s eyes lit up on seeing those five words.

Gu An would eventually cultivate the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, so he didn’t mind teaching it. Moreover, this technique originated from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion.

He wanted to see how many years it would take Sage Xuan Miao, with his talent, to master the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body.

Sage Xuan Miao picked up the secret book, began reading, while Gu An wasn’t in a hurry, putting away the Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate scroll into his storage bag.

After reading for a while, Sage Xuan Miao’s hands trembled.

He suddenly closed the book, tucked it away, and then took out wooden boxes from his storage ring, a total of seven.

He said, “This ultimate skill is stronger than Divine-Reaching Mystic Gate. I can’t take advantage of you. These are seeds of Seventh Grade heavenly materials and earthly treasures, gifts from various dynasties to me. I intended to use them to enhance my cave, but now I offer them to you.”

Hmm?

Considerate!

Gu An’s impression of Sage Xuan Miao improved.

He lifted a hand, the seven wooden boxes adhering to the tree trunk beside him, saying, “You may leave now.”

Sage Xuan Miao immediately kowtowed, making the fox demon boy kowtow as well, and then led him away without lingering.

Gu An watched their departing figures, silently lamenting, “What a fateful encounter.”

He wasn’t referring to his and Sage Xuan Miao’s but rather Sage Xuan Miao’s and the fox demon boy’s.

He couldn’t resist casting another Life Span Detection.

[Underworld Fox Demon (Energy Cultivation Realm Fourth Layer): 14/999/14000]

This maximum life span was identical to the Underworld Demon Emperor’s, and both carried the name “Underworld,” implying a definite connection!

Gu An even suspected this boy might be the Underworld Demon Emperor!