Chapter 404: Chapter 404: The Descent of a Deity

“I’m preparing to leave now, thank you for making a move,” said Jiang Qiong to Gu An, speaking earnestly outside of Mystic Valley.

Not far from them, in the nearby woods, several Juhua Sect disciples were resting and healing, awaiting Jiang Qiong.

Gu An waved his hand, “If you wish to thank someone, thank Ji Xiaoyu.”

Jiang Qiong knew of Ji Xiaoyu, and she also understood that this Ji Xiaoyu was not the Ji Xiaoyu she knew.

She did not dwell on Ji Xiaoyu, but instead, pondering on the words of Sword Venerable Fudao, asked softly, “Why do you help me so much from behind the scenes and yet always choose to remain patient and silent?”

Gu An understood what she was referring to. He blinked and said, “What would it change if I said anything? To make you more grateful? That would be so dull. You should just focus on growing the Juhua Sect, life’s journey is long. I hope that thousands of years from now, we can still share drinks and converse cheerfully.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiong smiled and said, “Then you better live for thousands of years.”

“I’ll try my best.”

After hearing Gu An’s words, Jiang Qiong smiled, then turned and left.

As Gu An watched her leave, he felt none of the sadness one might feel when parting with someone from the past because he knew he and Jiang Qiong would meet many more times, and to him, the Juhua Sect was not far away.

Some distances are not measured by steps, but rather by the rolling mortal world pushing the wheel of fate.

Even though some people will continue to live, there will come a moment when Gu An might feel this parting is a final farewell.

After Jiang Qiong and the others flew away on their swords, Gu An couldn’t help but stretch lazily.

“I still have to face the new life ahead. Just seven hundred years old and already feeling melancholic. What will I do when I’m a million, ten million, or even a hundred million years old?”

Gu An thought to himself with a smile on his face.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death cannot be stopped, so why cling to them?

Cherishing a lifetime of fate is enough!

Gu An turned and walked back into Mystic Valley, his thoughts turning to Xiaochuan.

How has the rascal not reincarnated yet?

With others, Gu An might only desire a lifetime’s fate, but with Xiaochuan, he was much greedier!

Five years later.

Inside a courtyard of the Juhua Sect, Jiang Qiong sat opposite the Ghost Mother of Ephemera. After listening to the Ghost Mother’s words, Jiang Qiong wore a strange expression and asked, “Are you sure it was five years ago?”

“Yes, it was a very quiet night. No one came looking for me until dawn, so I went out to look around, only to find that all the people from the Demon Disciple Palace were dead—a very peculiar death, with no signs of battle, as if their souls had been extracted. Not a single demon disciple was left alive throughout the whole palace, but we who were imprisoned all survived,” the Ghost Mother of Ephemera recalled, her face unable to hide the fear.

Jiang Qiong was inwardly shocked. She knew Sword Venerable Fudao was powerful, but the Ghost Mother’s description was still frightening.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Qiong revealed that she had asked for Sword Venerable Fudao’s help.

Upon hearing this, the Ghost Mother actually relaxed and revealed an ecstatic expression, “Allying with Sword Venerable Fudao is the best decision I’ve made in my life.”

Jiang Qiong looked at her and thought silently, “You will regret it.”

By seeking Sword Venerable Fudao’s help, she considered herself having repaid the help that the Ghost Mother had provided over the years.

However, the Ghost Mother was hated by Zhen Qin. Given the relationship, Zhen Qin could be considered a grand-disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao. By any measure, the Ghost Mother would sooner or later face her death.

It was also obvious that Sword Venerable Fudao didn’t care much for the Ghost Mother.

“The destruction of the Demon Disciple Palace is an opportunity for us. I found many good things there, which can help the Juhua Sect to soar!” The Ghost Mother of Ephemera suddenly said excitedly.

Jiang Qiong’s eyes shone, and the two began to discuss taking over the Soul-Binding Demon Palace.

…

In the Holy Court, on a glittering golden hall, the Holy Minister sat on his throne, listening to the reports from the ministers in the hall.

Behind him, the imperial seat of Shengtian emitted a faint golden glow, as if a figure was sitting upon it.

“Currently, our control over the world is shrinking, and there have even been consecutive occurrences of sects and dynasties being wiped out within our controlled territory without any trace of the true culprits,” an old man said with a voice full of age.

The Holy Minister spoke, “In these extraordinary times, there is no need to expend energy investigating. The Holy Court’s goal is the Immortal Dynasty. Once the Immortal Dynasty is destroyed, regaining control over the world will be as easy as flipping one’s hand. It’s just the right time to let all living beings feel the darkness of the years without the Holy Court’s protection. Having held power for too long, those who were born in times of peace do not know the terrors of the dark years.”

His words received approval from many in the hall, as the Yuanxu Ancestor had blessed all living beings and even opened up Reincarnation, resulting in the Immortal Dynasty having a better reputation. This could be glimpsed from the difference in the growth of their respective Qi Fortunes.

The hearts of all living beings were leaning towards the Immortal Dynasty!

A man clad in battle armor stepped forward and said, “The urgent matter at hand is to cultivate a Free Immortal. Holy Minister, gather the strength of the entire court to boost your cultivation level!”

As soon as these words were spoken, many echoed in agreement, even beseeching the Holy Minister.

The Holy Minister was already at the ninth layer of the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, just one step away from becoming a Free Immortal.

“Why must it be the Holy Minister, and not the Holy God?” someone questioned, casting the great hall into silence.

The Holy Minister glanced at him, not in anger but instead inquired, “Does anyone else have a differing opinion?”

The cultivators of the Holy Court within the hall exchanged glances, but no one else made a sound.

With a thunderous boom!

A bolt of heavenly lightning struck from nowhere, hitting the person who had just raised the objection, reducing him instantly to ashes.

The Holy Minister stood up and declared, “Since you all wish for me to attain the status of a Free Immortal, let us then prepare the plan. I will amass the Qi Fortune of the Holy Court to verify the path of the Free Immortal. Let the citizens of the Holy Court witness my process of Tribulation Crossing, to broaden their horizons.”

Many in the hall wore ugly expressions. Even if they feared the Holy Minister’s power and dared not object, how could they not be angry in their hearts at the sight of the Holy Minister executing a court official at will?

In the end, led by someone taking the initiative, everyone began to thank the Holy Minister on behalf of the citizens of the Holy Court.

The Holy Minister looked up, and the vision of a starry sky emerged above him.

“That fellow should be returning soon. When he comes back, that will be my opportunity for a breakthrough,” the Holy Minister murmured to himself.

Elsewhere.

In the Mystic Valley of the Supreme Sect.

Gu An read a book in the forest while An Xin sat nearby practicing her martial arts, glancing towards An Shengtian not far away, practicing with his sword, while Jiang Shi watched him closely.

“Why choose to practice with a sword? It doesn’t seem impressive enough,” mused An Xin, her gaze following to Gu An.

Gu An turned a page and said, “Everyone makes their own choices; let him be.”

“Master, what weapon suits me?” she asked.

“Are you not practicing the sword?”

“I feel the sword doesn’t suit me. I like magic artifacts like the brush in your hand; they’re more novel.”

“Then you should think about it yourself; don’t ask me.”

Gu An replied dismissively, then stood up and tucked the Green Hero Travelogue into his chest.

An Xin followed him to her feet, her voice filled with grievance, “How could I possibly come up with one? I follow your guidance in my training; help me think of something.”

Gu An did not respond but looked up instead.

The sky was a brilliant blue, and a streak of white light flashed across rapidly, disappearing in an instant.

“Another has arrived; it seems things will get even more chaotic,” Gu An thought to himself.

That streak of white light just now was unmistakably a Free Immortal!