Qiao Dai ignored Ji Hantian's provocation and focused his gaze on the Heaven-Sundering Axe.
All eyes were on him. Over the years, countless cultivators had come to challenge the Heaven-Sundering Axe daily, but few carried the same overwhelming aura as Qiao Dai.
The title "Lingxia's Number One Cultivator" was already impressive enough to capture attention.
While Qiao Dai seemed calm outwardly, inwardly, he felt a twinge of tension.
The Sword Master of the Dao's reputation had grown to legendary proportions, resounding even within the Lingxia Dynasty. Qiao Dai was well aware that he was no match for such an iconic figure. However, the Heaven-Sundering Axe was merely a treasure left behind by the Sword Master. It was this distinction that gave him confidence.
Raising his right hand, Qiao Dai grasped the axe's hilt.
The instant his hand touched it, an unimaginable weight pressed against him.
His brows furrowed, and he immediately began exerting force.
Boom—
The Heaven Mending Platform quaked under the strain, causing everyone to watch with bated breath.
No matter their sect affiliation, the cultivators on the platform shared a singular hope: that he would fail to lift it.
For disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect, the axe symbolized their sect's pride. For outsiders, it represented an unparalleled opportunity—who wouldn't want to inherit the Sword Master of the Dao's legacy?
By now, the Sword Master had become a figure universally revered across the Three Dynasties' cultivation world.
From atop the Blood Prison Saint's back, Gu An watched with faint amusement. The mighty beast harbored its own ambitions and had long been curious about the Heaven-Sundering Axe. Though restrained in its cultivation, the Blood Prison Saint had always wanted to try its strength against the axe.
But Qiao Dai was different. The beast could feel that Qiao Dai's cultivation base exceeded its own.
If even Qiao Dai couldn't lift the Heaven-Sundering Axe, then it stood no chance.
This realization only deepened its respect—and fear—for the Sword Master of the Dao.
Leaving a single treasure on the platform had thwarted countless challengers for years. No one could even move it, let alone wield it. The Sword Master's level of cultivation was unimaginable.
Meanwhile, Qiao Dai began activating secret techniques, his aura surging. The entire Outer Gate City trembled under the pressure.
More figures gathered at the Heaven Mending Platform—senior figures from the Tai Xuan Sect. Their expressions initially reflected alarm, but as they continued observing, their faces turned to relief.
Though Qiao Dai's aura was intimidating, it was ultimately futile.
If one couldn't lift the axe, no amount of force or technique would change that.
Zuo Yijian, standing nearby with a front-row view of Qiao Dai's struggle, smirked to himself. "So much bluster, yet he can't even budge it. Challenging the Heaven-Sundering Axe with this level of skill? Laughable."
For all his overwhelming aura, Qiao Dai didn't lose himself in the moment. After a few breaths of exertion, he abruptly withdrew his energy and stepped back.
Standing tall, he released the hilt and declared in a booming voice, "The Sword Master of the Dao truly lives up to his name. I, Qiao Dai, concede!"
His proclamation reverberated throughout the city.
Though it sounded grandiose, many within the crowd silently questioned, Who even are you?
Still, recalling the domineering aura he had displayed moments ago, few dared to speak out against him.
Unwilling to provoke Qiao Dai, they turned their praises instead to the Sword Master of the Dao.
The platform erupted in discussion. Everywhere, people extolled the Sword Master's strength.
Meanwhile, Qiao Dai turned toward Ji Hantian and demanded, "Where is your Sect Leader? I want to meet him."
Ji Hantian nodded in acknowledgment, gesturing for Qiao Dai to follow as they left the Outer Gate City.
From his perch, Gu An lightly patted the Blood Prison Saint's back. "Let's go."
As they left, Gu An casually remarked, "Another few years, and I'll help you break through to the second tier so you can finally speak."
The Blood Prison Saint's eyes brightened at the promise.
Not being able to speak had been an enduring frustration for the beast. It was eager to unleash its thoughts—and insults—upon the world.
"Remember, though," Gu An warned. "Some things are better left unsaid."
The Blood Prison Saint nodded eagerly. It knew its words would need to be measured carefully. After all, even it didn't know the full extent of Gu An's power.
As the days passed, summer began to wane.
High atop a northern peak of Xuan Valley, Gu An sparred with Chu Jingfeng, practicing their swordsmanship.
Even as he swung his blade, Gu An's divine sense spread across the land.
Far in the eastern skies, he observed a Flying Immortal descending to the mortal realm.
Such sights were no longer uncommon to him. Over the years, he had witnessed numerous beings ascending and descending the mortal plane. Though Flying Immortals were rare, Gu An had reached a level where he encountered them almost daily.
This alone was testament to the vastness of this world. In a realm so expansive, even Flying Immortals were far from the pinnacle.
It was no wonder this world was known as the Great Celestial Heaven. Its boundlessness reassured Gu An, for the larger the world, the smaller and more inconspicuous he appeared within it.
He much preferred being a small fish in a big pond.
Moments later, Gu An sensed an extraordinary fluctuation to the east—far beyond the mainland, even farther than Xunxian Island.
This power wasn't from any living being. It felt like the aura of a supreme treasure.
And it was immensely powerful.
Could it be that the mysterious treasure is what drew that person from beyond the heavens?
Gu An thought it was highly probable.
At that moment, Chu Jingfeng sheathed his sword, panting heavily. "I'm exhausted. I can't beat you."
His gaze toward Gu An was filled with complexity.
Every time Chu Jingfeng felt his swordsmanship had significantly improved, he would seek out Gu An for a sparring session. Yet, despite always feeling on the verge of victory, the result was invariably a loss.
Their duels didn't involve spiritual energy—only pure physical strength.
Of course, failing to defeat Gu An before running out of stamina indicated that Chu Jingfeng's swordsmanship was still inferior.
Gu An smiled and said, "You're just a step away. You've improved significantly since last time."
Chu Jingfeng wiped the sweat from his forehead, fixing his gaze on Gu An. "Are you saying you're improving too? Or have you been holding back all along?"
The more he interacted with Gu An, the more unfathomable he seemed. When Chu Jingfeng first met him, it was pure gratitude for saving his life. Now, he believed Gu An was either an unparalleled genius or a hidden master concealing his true cultivation.
He recalled the time the Greed and Wrath Demon Ghost had run rampant, only to perish mysteriously in Gu An's room. To this day, no one had uncovered who had saved Gu An back then.
Could it have been him all along?
Gu An laughed and said, "Hey, hey, don't forget, I'm a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the ninth layer and will soon form my Golden Core. Isn't it normal for me to win? Besides, I'm ranked 500th on the Golden Rankings!"
Seeing Gu An's smug expression, Chu Jingfeng couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.
Why overthink it? he thought. I'm a cripple now; I can't compare to anyone.
After a brief chat, Gu An descended the mountain with the Heavenly Solemn Sword in hand, while Chu Jingfeng sat cross-legged on the cliff's edge, meditating on their sparring session.
The next morning, the World's First Cultivation Tournament officially began. It was said that more than fifty thousand participants, both human and beast, had registered, spanning all cultivation realms. Even a few mysterious Mahayana realm cultivators had joined.
Gu An didn't participate. Instead, he traveled to Tianya Valley to harvest herbs.
"This year, I need to reach a lifespan of seven million years," he mused. "Once I cross the ten-million-year threshold, I can aim for a lifespan of a hundred million years."
The thought of unlocking a new ability after one hundred million years filled him with anticipation. He wondered whether the next milestone would be at one billion years or one hundred billion years.
If a billion years pass in the mortal world, how powerful will my cultivation have become by then?
The sky stretched endlessly, its azure expanse meeting the infinite ocean. Xunxian Island sat amidst the waters, tiny as a speck of dust from afar, yet its prosperity became evident upon closer inspection.
Gu An returned to Xunxian Island, where he exchanged all the herbs he had harvested over the past three years for high-grade spirit stones. Afterward, he strolled leisurely through the bustling city.
He planned to buy premium cultivation pills for Ye Lan and Xiao Chun. As for others, he wouldn't go to such lengths; his own concoctions were already a generous offering.
As always, Hu Xiaojian accompanied him, enthusiastically serving as his guide.
"By the way, senior," Hu Xiaojian suddenly asked with excitement, "have you heard about the conflict between the Star Sea Sect and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm a few months ago?"
Gu An replied, "I've been in seclusion. What happened? Why did they clash?"
Hu Xiaojian lowered his voice and said, "They say a disciple of the Star Sea Sect was ambushed by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, so some Star Sea Sect cultivators retaliated by attacking the affiliated islands of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. The fighting lasted three days and nights. People are speculating that the two powers, who have coexisted peacefully for fifty thousand years, might go to war."
"If these two titans clash, the seas won't be peaceful anymore."
Gu An's first thought was of Xuan Tianyi.
Could he really stir up such a storm?
On second thought, it made sense. A several-hundred-year-old Mahayana cultivator was a rarity, even in the vast seas. Gu An had only seen a handful of such individuals on Xunxian Island.
As they chatted, they continued through the city.
Half an hour later, Gu An had spent every last spirit stone he had, his purchases yielding a satisfying haul.
He didn't regret spending on his junior brother and sister. Even if their fates were destined for mortality, he was willing to help extend their lives by a few centuries or millennia.
After sending Hu Xiaojian off, Gu An wandered the island on his own.
Xunxian Island was enormous, with numerous districts bustling with activity. Humans, demons, and spirit beasts coexisted on the vibrant streets.
Suddenly, a figure brushed past Gu An. Intrigued by the person's peculiar attire, Gu An instinctively used Lifespan Investigation.
[Nine-Finger Divine Lord (Wandering Immortal, Second Layer): 170,800 / 190,000 / 800,000]
Huh?
One hundred seventy thousand years old?
And an astonishing lifespan of eight hundred thousand years?
Gu An's curiosity was piqued. On the surface, the man's cultivation seemed to be at the Mahayana level, but even with Gu An's Flying Immortal, ninth-layer status, he couldn't fully discern the man's true cultivation. That alone spoke volumes about the individual's power.
Or perhaps, Gu An mused, he's not a Wandering Immortal at all, but someone whose cultivation fell due to certain reasons.
He thought the latter more likely. Without looking back, Gu An continued forward.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord, however, halted in his tracks. Dressed in rugged black clothing that bordered on shabby, he wore a conical hat and carried a large wooden box on his back.
Glancing back, his brows furrowed. Beneath the hat, his aged eyes revealed a trace of confusion.
"Was it just my imagination?"
He felt as though someone had been watching him, but when he turned around, he saw no one of note. The strongest presence on the street was merely a Loose Immortal.
Shaking his head, he resumed walking.
An incense stick's time later, he arrived at a secluded residence and entered the courtyard, where a man in purple robes awaited him.
"Please, come in, senior," the man greeted with a sycophantic smile, his demeanor one of utmost respect.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord set down his wooden box and took a seat, his expression calm. "Why have you summoned me?"
The purple-robed man waved his hand, activating a purple barrier around the courtyard, which quickly vanished.
Leaning in slightly, he said in a hushed tone, "Senior, I've found clues about the immortal treasure you seek. However, it's tied to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Would you dare to confront them?"