Chapter 322: Chapter 322: The Guidance of the Dao

“These are Dao Patterns, the initial manifestation of the Dao. Some people are born with the Dao, some cultivate it later in life, like the sudden gain you’ve experienced is not unheard of. Regardless, possessing Dao Patterns means that sooner or later, you will transcend the mortal plane and become an Immortal. Let me offer you my early congratulations.”

Zhang Xianwang spoke with a chuckle, appreciation gleaming in his eyes.

Gu An immediately clasped his fists in response, “This one’s name is Gu An, may I inquire about my Daoist Friend’s illustrious name?”

He could feel that Zhang Xianwang was deducing his karma, but he didn’t mind; his own karmic manifestations had long been altered by him. Unless one’s realm was higher than his, looking at his true self would reveal only the life of an ordinary disciple tending the fields, unremarkable and plain.

“I am Zhang Xianwang, from a very distant place. To meet is to be fated, why don’t you show me around? I’d also like to learn about the Heavenly Ranking Tournament and the Supreme Sect.”

Faced with Zhang Xianwang’s suggestion, Gu An naturally wouldn’t refuse; after all, he was here for Zhang Xianwang.

The two walked out of the Treasure Pavilion, and upon seeing Gu An’s mount, Zhang Xianwang didn’t think much of it as he couldn’t see through the Path of Returning Primordial Spirit.

On the way, Gu An introduced the Supreme Sect, and when he mentioned the Sword Venerable Fudao, Zhang Xianwang immediately inquired about the specific details.

As they discussed the Sword Venerable Fudao, Gu An’s face lit up with fanaticism, praising him to the skies.

The Blood Prison Great Saint remained expressionless, yet inwardly he was impressed.

Such magnanimity from his master was worth learning. If he were Zhang Xianwang, he would never associate Gu An with the Sword Venerable Fudao.

Not only did Zhang Xianwang find the Blood Prison Great Saint ordinary, but the Blood Prison Great Saint also didn’t think highly of Zhang Xianwang. Both were Great Cultivators hiding their true cultivation levels, with inevitable pride within them.

Inadvertently, the two arrived near the Heavenly Repair Platform.

Gu An asked with a smile, “There’s a Heaven-Cutting Axe on the platform, would you like to give it a try?”

Zhang Xianwang gazed off into the distance, shook his head slightly, “I’m certain I cannot pull it out, no need.”

He turned back towards Gu An, “I’ll be staying at the Supreme Sect for quite some time. Next time we meet, I’ll treat you to a drink. If someone tries to tempt you to leave the Supreme Sect, you’d better refuse. Possessing Dao Patterns is an innate blessing, but they can also attract calamities. At least within the Supreme Sect, the Sword Venerable Fudao protects you, so others won’t dare to mess around.”

After speaking, he turned and left.

Gu An looked at his retreating figure, thinking to himself that this person was quite agreeable.

He had assumed that the people from the Immortal Spirit Dynasty were all haughty as they seldom interacted with the outside world. Yet today’s encounter had given Gu An a different perspective on the Immortal Spirit Dynasty.

Gu An looked distantly towards the Heaven-Cutting Axe, where Zuo Yijian stood by the axe side, guarding it day in and day out for ten years.

Now, when one mentioned the Heaven-Cutting Axe, it was hard to bypass Zuo Yijian.

Gu An’s thoughts stirred, his Divine Thought mixed with powerful Sword Intent boldly invading Zuo Yijian’s eyes, causing him to become dazed.

Immediately after, Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint in another direction, without approaching the platform.

Zhang Xianwang, not yet far off, stopped in his tracks and turned around, his eyes widening in astonishment.

At the same time, a sky-reaching Sword Intent erupted from Zuo Yijian, causing Cultivators nearby to swiftly retreat, figures materializing out of nowhere around the Heaven-Cutting Axe, isolating Zuo Yijian.

Zuo Yijian’s eyes lost their luster, and he stood there dazed, Sword Intent rising from below, billowing his robes and hair.

Feeling the Sword Intent belonging to Sword Venerable Fudao, the Great Cultivators of the Supreme Sect all breathed a sigh of relief.

“What’s happened to him?”

“It’s the Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao. Feel it carefully, Zuo Yijian’s Sword Qi is growing stronger.”

“Is Sword Venerable Fudao giving him guidance?”

“If it’s him, I can understand. After all, he has stood guard here for so many years.”

“So he wasn’t lying, did Sword Venerable Fudao really pat his shoulder back then?”

The Cultivators murmured among themselves as Zuo Yijian was immersed in the Sword Intent, unable to extricate himself.

Far beneath the Heavenly Repair Platform, Zhang Xianwang felt the Sword Intent emanating from Zuo Yijian’s body, and his mind was profoundly shaken.

He was, after all, a Carefree Primordial Immortal, yet he could not detect Sword Venerable Fudao making his move. He even failed to comprehend how Sword Venerable Fudao’s Sword Intent could lead Zuo Yijian into a state of Path Enlightenment.

At this moment, he realized his own insignificance.

The Carefree Primordial Immortal was merely at ease; he had not yet reached the stage of pondering the great Tao!

In his peripheral vision was the retreating figure of Gu An, who nonetheless had not caught his attention.

He couldn’t imagine that Gu An, who had chosen a different path from his own, was the very Sword Venerable Fudao who had brought him such astonishment.

Gu An did not look back, keeping his achievements and fame concealed.

Hearing the distant clamor, the Blood Prison Great Saint also did not turn his head, knowing that the legendary Sword Venerable Fudao was right behind him.

When Immortals intervene, mortals tend to fuss over nothing – how tedious!

After seeing Zhang Xianwang, Gu An continued roaming around the city, purchased many items, and then returned to the valley.

Back in the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An found An Xin and handed over the things he had purchased.

The Third Medicine Valley also stored many medicinal herbs, elixirs, secret books, and magic artifacts, allowing servant disciples to purchase them directly at lower prices than in the city. This was a benefit Gu An bestowed upon his disciples; comparing the prices, they grew even more grateful to him. Such deeds meant that even after servant disciples completed their Foundation Establishment and later saw Gu An, they would still address him respectfully as master.

After arranging all of this, Gu An prepared to go upstairs and read.

Coincidentally, Shen Zhen arrived at that moment.

Gu An had no choice but to stop and wait for her.

Over these years, Shen Zhen had not neglected her proper affairs and had even passed on her insights to the Supreme Sect, helping to create many Transmission Jade Slips. These allowed disciples to cultivate not just by understanding the text, but by visualizing the cultivation scenes, a merit that garnered her true respect within the Supreme Sect.

“Come upstairs quick, there’s something great!”

Shen Zhen said in a rush and then hurried upstairs, with Gu An following behind.

Inside the room, once the door was closed, Gu An felt the aura below grow faint; it was obvious that Ji Xiaoyu was attempting to eavesdrop again.

Reaching the table, Shen Zhen pulled out a painting and quickly spread it open.

Gu An walked over to look and saw an ancient painting, depicting many naked people kneeling on the ground, waving towards the sky, where a group of people robed in splendor floated amidst the clouds as if they were immortal beings.

“I previously came across an incomplete ancient scroll and have been analyzing it daily, imagining its complete scene. Perhaps, there is a hidden guidance within the Dao leading me,” said Shen Zhen, brimming with pride.

It was imagined?

Upon closer inspection, Gu An noticed that the contours of the environment captured in the painting contained the mysteries of Heaven and Earth Rules.

Could it be that there was indeed a Dao guiding Shen Zhen?

Something wasn’t right!

Why would it be Shen Zhen?

Gu An began to doubt whether Shen Zhen truly could reach enlightenment through music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

He had earlier made a move that had shocked Zhang Xianwang, and now it was Shen Zhen’s turn to shock him.

To grasp the Heaven and Earth Rules without stepping into the Immortal Path Realm?

That was preposterous!

Could she be the reincarnation of an Immortal?

But that shouldn’t be the case; if she were the reincarnation of a Great Power, Gu An would likely have perceived some hints, just like with Ji Xiaoyu and Yang Jian.

No matter how he looked at her, Shen Zhen did not appear to have a significant background.