Above the vast, endless ocean, clouds swirled, creating a scene like a celestial paradise. Rising from the waters stood a towering mountain that pierced the heavens, where divine birds circled.
At the mountain's peak, a colossal golden mirror radiated dazzling light, spinning slowly as it cast its beams in all directions. Beneath the golden mirror lay a vast and luminous Dao field paved with white jade. Thousands sat in meditation, each possessing the cultivation of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm.
Most were immersed in cultivation, their eyes closed in deep focus. However, a few glanced toward the front, where a towering figure sat cross-legged before the golden mirror. Even seated, his form loomed a hundred zhang tall.
The Mortal God.
Draped in a black Daoist robe and holding a horsetail whisk, his half-white hair was secured by jade hairpins. His weathered face bore the marks of countless trials, exuding an indomitable aura of Dao. Simply sitting there, he radiated an overwhelming presence of boundless Dao energy.
"Divine Master, the world is in chaos. When will we, the Divine Path, descend the mountain to save it?"
An elder suddenly broke the silence, his voice reverberating across the field. At his words, every pair of eyes opened simultaneously, their gazes locking onto the Mortal God.
Even Bai Ziya from Mortal Peak turned his eyes forward.
These disciples had pledged themselves to the Mortal God not solely for greater power but to fulfill their aspirations.
To them, the Immortal Dynasty and Sacred Court only cared for their own interests, failing to prioritize the common people. Neither deserved to rule the vast realm of Heavenly Spirit. The salvation of all beings required a third power, and the Divine Path, established by the Mortal God, was their beacon of hope.
Before joining the Divine Path, they had already felt its might—a force they believed transcended the Dao of Immortals.
Empowered by the luck of the Divine Path, their cultivation improved daily. Many, having just joined, were already eager to act.
The Mortal God did not open his eyes. In a calm voice, he said, "The time is not yet ripe. What we seek to save is the entire world, not just a fraction of beings. If we act prematurely, we may gain some merit, but it will not suffice to shake the Immortal Dynasty or Sacred Court. Only when we are strong enough to crush the Immortal Dynasty in a single strike and devour the Sacred Court to restore peace to the heavens in a short time will it truly benefit all beings."
His words garnered nods of agreement from many present.
A female cultivator then asked, "Divine Master, in your view, is the greater threat the Yang Xian Emperor or Divine Sovereign?"
The Free Immortal Realm cultivators alone could not decide the world's fate. After all, even the Yang Xian Emperor had failed to break through the Sacred Court. Yet they all understood that defeating both the Immortal Dynasty and Sacred Court would require conquering both the Yang Xian Emperor and Divine Sovereign.
A monumental battle awaited between the Mortal God and these two legendary powers!
Upon hearing this, the Mortal God slowly opened his eyes, his gaze distant and profound. He replied meaningfully, "Beyond those two, there are even greater threats in this world. And not just one. We are living in an era of unprecedented chaos. The evolution of heaven and earth in the future will surpass anything you can currently imagine. What you see now is only the prelude—the true calamity has yet to arrive."
"Heaven and earth will collapse, yin and yang will unravel, immortals will cease to be immortals, and humans will coexist with ghosts. Only then will you witness the darkest era."
The Mortal God's words caused the expressions of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal cultivators to change dramatically. Murmurs filled the air as they whispered among themselves in alarm.
Even Bai Ziya frowned deeply, his eyes filled with worry.
What would this future hold?
Three years later.
In a forest grove, Gu An reclined in a tree, leisurely flipping through a book. Beneath the tree, the Blood Prison Saint lay sprawled out, its bull-like eyes curiously watching An Xin cultivate.
"Master, what exactly is she cultivating? It doesn't seem like the techniques or divine abilities from before, yet it contains traces of those mysteries." The Blood Prison Saint couldn't help but look up and ask.
Gu An replied casually, "That is my Dao."
Over the past three years, Gu An had fully mastered the Extreme Dao Combat Method, even infusing it with his own insights. Only then did he begin teaching it to An Xin.
Although Gu An and Ji shared equal mastery in the Extreme Dao Combat Method, their combat styles and strengths remained distinct. Gu An had to admit that Ji was naturally suited for the Extreme Dao Combat Method. With the same level of mastery, Ji could unleash greater power, a result of his unyielding will and inherent nature.
Since his simulated battle against Ji three years ago, Gu An had not engaged in another simulation. He felt the time wasn't right yet.
That was fine, though. Setting his alternate self as a goal gave life a sense of purpose.
"Dao?" The Blood Prison Saint murmured in contemplation.
The forest quickly fell silent.
After a brief daze, the Blood Prison Saint raised his gaze and noticed that An Xin had stopped cultivating. She stood still, lost in thought.
"Master, she…" The Blood Prison Saint cautiously glanced at Gu An.
Flipping through his book, Gu An replied casually, "She's just comprehending the Dao. Don't worry about it."
"Just comprehending the Dao?"
The Blood Prison Saint was no longer the reckless brute he once was. He understood the rarity and significance of comprehending the Dao—it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
He looked at An Xin with envy, his heart filled with anticipation.
Truly, following the master brought unexpected blessings: comprehending the Dao and transforming one's bloodline were mere stepping stones.
Yang Jian had missed out. If he had stayed and focused, his growth would have only accelerated.
That short-sighted boy believed he had already learned all of Gu An's skills, unaware that the master's cultivation was profound and unfathomable.
Shifting his gaze back to An Xin, the Blood Prison Saint noticed a new aura emanating from her.
This aura instinctively filled him with dread.
"She's growing so quickly. Usually smiling and carefree, yet once she cultivates, her presence surpasses even Yang Jian's," the Blood Prison Saint thought, secretly alarmed.
He tried to recall when An Xin began developing such an aura but found himself unable to pinpoint the exact moment.
Once again, his eyes turned toward Gu An, perched on the tree. They gleamed with admiration.
To nurture such strength in a seemingly delicate girl—how strong would Gu An make someone like him?
The Blood Prison Saint silently vowed to become the strongest under Gu An's command.
Time passed swiftly.
As dusk approached, An Xin suddenly awakened. She gasped for air, her eyes wide open, and her forehead drenched in sweat.
"Hey, hey, hey, what's wrong with you? Why does comprehending the Dao look like a nightmare?" The Blood Prison Saint teased, his tone laced with jealousy.
He longed to comprehend the Dao, just like that fat rodent!
He suspected that the rodent's rapid growth stemmed from constant Dao comprehension, even while sleeping.
An Xin calmed her breathing and turned toward Gu An, saying, "Master, I saw a figure just now."
Her voice halted mid-sentence, her mind suddenly recalling the invincible figure she had envisioned. It overlapped perfectly with the image of Gu An sitting on the tree.
"What figure?" Gu An asked nonchalantly, not even glancing at her.
An Xin broke into a smile and said, "It's nothing. Thank you, Master, for your guidance. What is this incredible technique you've taught me? It's amazing!"
Gu An didn't hide the truth. "This is the Extreme Dao Combat Method. You must never mention it to anyone, not even Hao'er. If you use it in the future, do not reveal its name."
"Why?" An Xin asked curiously.
The Blood Prison Saint leaned in closer, equally intrigued.
Expressionless, Gu An stared at his book and replied, "Because this technique originates from the future. A very distant future."
Both An Xin and the Blood Prison Saint were stunned. Their thoughts spiraled into endless speculation.