Chapter 683: Chapter 675: All Beings Are Equal, Accepting Disciples

“How is that possible? Could you have been deceived? Even if they could defeat you, their cultivation level must be higher than yours. Could it be some elder monster in disguise?”

An elder frowned as he spoke, and his words gained the support of others. They all believed that Yuan Luo couldn’t possibly lose to an opponent of the same realm.

Yi Qingshan also frowned. He believed that Yuan Luo’s judgment wouldn’t be wrong. He could sense Yuan Luo’s setback, and Yuan Luo had been traversing the world for many years and had indeed lost to elder monsters before.

Yuan Luo took a deep breath and said, “I can confirm his cultivation level is not as high as mine, but I am unsure of his origins and do not know his name.”

The elders’ consolation only made him feel worse.

He was a proud person who disliked failure, but he disliked even more when others denied his failure.

The high-ranking members of the Qiankun Sect listened in silence.

Has another peerless prodigy emerged?

They calmed down and thought it might not be impossible. Especially with Taiqian and the Dao Court currently at war, the destiny of Heaven and Earth evolving, and great powers declaring that the time for an era change in Heaven and Earth had arrived. In such a season, the birth of beings with greater talent might not be impossible.

Moreover, given the boundless vastness of Heaven and Earth, the Qiankun Sect is but a drop in the ocean. If the Qiankun Sect can give rise to a talent like Yuan Luo, why can’t more prosperous places give birth to even stronger talents?

Yi Qingshan spoke, “Don’t overthink it. Win next time, or perhaps, I could recommend you go to the Beginningless for cultivation?”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Luo shook his head and said, “I don’t want to go. I just want to rely on myself, and I still have a long way to go. If I reach the end and see no hope, then I’ll seek other paths.”

Yi Qingshan didn’t insist, but he found it strange in his heart.

Yuan Luo’s resistance to the Beginningless seemed excessive, yet Yuan Luo had never spoken ill of the Beginningless.

Other elders began to encourage Yuan Luo, hoping he wouldn’t be disheartened.

Faced with everyone’s concern, Yuan Luo accepted each one, appearing very humble. He was arrogant to outsiders, but his reputation within the sect had always been good. This was why the Qiankun Sect was willing to support him at all costs, and his colleagues were proud of him.

After chatting for quite a while, Yuan Luo finally took his leave.

After he left, the elders finally expressed their true feelings. They found Yuan Luo’s defeat inconceivable and even birthed worries because of it.

“No need to worry, currently in the sect, he is not the only world-class talent, and with the Beginningless, we will not fall behind in terms of talent,” Gu Changsheng said.

His words gained everyone’s approval; centuries of companionship were enough for them to trust the Beginningless.

Yi Qingshan followed up, “The world’s situation is turbulent, tell the people within the sect to be cautious and avoid entanglements with Taiqian and the Dao Court. We cannot support either; Qiankun Sect must follow a path of self-reliance.”

Whether it be the Taiqian Dynasty or the Dao Court, behind them are numerous eternal transcendent forces, making them more like allies.

The Qiankun Sect’s development is not as advanced as theirs, but each step is very solid, and the top-level is still composed of their initial members.

After receiving the orders, the elders began to discuss the world situation.

The Taiqian Dynasty’s offensive is fierce, nearly reaching the Dao Court’s mountain gate, causing an uproar throughout the land. People realized the Dao Court was no longer the undisputed world ruler, which led many ambitious individuals to start scheming.

The Dao Court’s territory is vast, and its foundations are deep. Even a small piece is enough to make a sect soar.

…

A thousand years later.

Emperor Tianhong returned to the Daoist Field of the Beginningless. He came immediately to visit Gu An.

“Master, the person you asked me to mentor, he has died. I failed to protect him; please punish me!”

Emperor Tianhong knelt behind Gu An, his expression dejected.

An Xin, who led the way, couldn’t move upon hearing these words, standing still to ascertain to whom Emperor Tianhong referred.

Gu An was inside the pavilion writing a secret manual, his back to Emperor Tianhong, and said, “No matter, dead is dead. I only asked you to teach him, didn’t expect you’d spend so many years before returning.”

That person was the reincarnation of the Taiyi Immortal Monarch. Under Emperor Tianhong’s guidance, his cultivation progressed rapidly, unfortunately, he died at the hands of a great power from the Taiqian Dynasty. Even Emperor Tianhong couldn’t stop it and had to rely on the power of a Dao treasure to protect himself.

Having spent so many years together, Emperor Tianhong developed deep feelings for Taiyi. His heart filled with grief and self-blame; he even hoped Gu An would seek revenge for Taiyi, but he restrained himself, knowing that his master had no obligation to intervene.

In his eyes, his master didn’t meddle in worldly affairs, only acting when faced with external threats. To the master, all living beings under heaven were of equal standing, and the master wouldn’t favor anyone.

Taiyi’s death was ultimately a personal vendetta. He insisted on competing with talents from Taiqian for heavenly materials and earthly treasures, resulting in the intervention of the opponent’s support.

Emperor Tianhong also made a move, but the opponents were numerous, and he couldn’t prevail.

“I didn’t expect to mentor for so long and ultimately developed compassion,” Emperor Tianhong sighed. Taiyi was his first disciple, and after spending so much time together, he inevitably became attached.

Gu An turned to look at him and said, “Cherish the feelings this experience brings you. As for Taiyi, he will reincarnate.”

“Really? I clearly saw him utterly obliterated…”

Emperor Tianhong’s eyes lit up as he asked excitedly.

Gu An smiled without speaking, leading Emperor Tianhong to speculate it was his doing, engendering feelings of gratitude within him.

“Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master…”

Emperor Tianhong began to kowtow, exceedingly joyful.

Gu An looked at him with a silent sigh. Although he had awakened some memories of the Immortal Gods, he was still far from becoming a true Immortal God.

“Go and cultivate. As for Taiyi, I won’t prevent you from encountering him again in the future, but you need not actively seek him now,” Gu An said.

Hearing this, Emperor Tianhong felt even happier, hurriedly thanking Gu An, then stood up, bowed to An Xin, and vanished from the spot.

“Master, could that person called Taiyi really be the reincarnation of the Taiyi Immortal Monarch?” An Xin approached Gu An and asked softly.

“Yes, it’s him.”

“Aren’t you afraid they, as two Immortal Gods, might collude?”

“Rest assured, they won’t.”

Gu An answered casually, casting a satisfied glance at his writing.

An Xin inquired, “Master, do you think I could also take a disciple? I haven’t truly taken a disciple before and want to experience being a master. Don’t worry, I won’t go out; I’ll choose a disciple from within the Qiankun Sect.”

Gu An shot her a glance and said, “You may take only one.”

An Xin was overjoyed and giggled, “Thank you, Master. Rest assured, I won’t carelessly choose. The disciple I take will certainly please you, and they won’t bring shame to the Beginningless.”

Gu An raised his hand to ruffle her hair, smiling, “In truth, aptitude doesn’t matter. If you meet a disciple you’re fond of and they’re willing to accept you as a master, don’t worry too much.”