"Of course, even though it's the same person, being with you feels like two completely different individuals," Gu An answered earnestly. That was indeed what he truly thought.
However, each incarnation of Ji Xiaoya shared the same soul. Yet, due to the absence of past memories and the addition of new experiences, they developed distinct emotions. Gu An couldn't possibly split Ji Xiaoya's soul in two, as the Samsara Dao Emperor's method involved reincarnation of their own soul, not splitting or creating avatars.
What Gu An expressed were his present feelings, and they were honest. When Ji Xiaoya's memories eventually merged completely, she might no longer struggle with such distinctions. Yet, the time they had spent together during this incarnation would leave a mark on Gu An's memories—a unique part of her that even Ji Xiaoya's original form could not entirely replace.
For any individual existing in this world, their own experiences were undoubtedly the most significant. Even the same person would evoke different emotions at different times. Some would even look back nostalgically on their past selves.
Upon hearing Gu An's words, Ji Xiaoya smiled and said, "If that's the case, then I have no regrets in this life."
Just as Gu An was about to respond, Ji Xiaoya's gaze fixed on him. With a slight smirk, she asked, "But have you ever thought that maybe I've always just been myself?"
Gu An raised an eyebrow, but before he could reply, Ji Xiaoya turned and headed back into the room.
The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor's expression drastically changed. He looked at her with a mixture of shock and excitement, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"Nether Emperor, go and deal with the Heavenly Demon Clan. Wait for me to recover my cultivation," Ji Xiaoya ordered without turning her head.
The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor was overjoyed. He immediately clasped his hands in a salute before disappearing from sight.
Gu An stared at Ji Xiaoya's retreating figure, his eyes filled with surprise.
Suddenly, he recalled something Ji Xiaoya had said to him in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm after using the power of her innate Dao rune.
"I didn't expect to still underestimate you, Sword Master. I look forward to meeting you again someday."
Could it be that Ji Xiaoya chose to reincarnate within the Ji family and continue using the name Ji Xiaoya just to meet him again?
The more Gu An thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Ji Xiaoya was aware of all the causes and effects tied to her. When she was in peril, the Sword Master appeared to rescue her. That couldn't have been mere coincidence.
The power Gu An displayed back then should have seemed to Ji Xiaoya as something capable of obliterating the Seven Stars Spirit Realm with ease. Yet, he only intervened at the moment of her greatest danger, which was indeed suspicious.
Recalling Ji Xiaoya's attitude toward him in this life, Gu An found it hard to determine whether she was merely acting or had truly developed genuine feelings.
He decided not to dwell on it further and turned toward the staircase.
Meteors streaked across the heavens one after another. Strong winds swept from the distance in waves, filling the Third Medicine Valley with constant clamor. A tense and foreboding atmosphere spread throughout the heavens and earth.
Although the Tai Cang Continent had not yet been affected, the overseas regions of the world were already engulfed in chaos. The Heavenly Demon Sect was ravaging the lands, teleportation barriers appeared incessantly, and countless Heavenly Demons descended into the world. Wherever they went, they slaughtered any living beings—be they human or demon.
From a vantage point beyond the heavens, looking down at Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven resembled admiring a grand and beautiful painting that was gradually being overtaken by spreading ink stains. Those stains expanded continuously, marring the masterpiece.
Meanwhile.
The Xuanhuang Demon God had already reached the vicinity of Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven. Ahead of him stood seven Free Immortals: the Sun Immortal Emperor, the Sacred Minister, the Ancient Immortal Emperor, the Sacred Ancestor, and three other Free Immortals who had returned from beyond the heavens.
Even though they shared the same realm, the seven Free Immortals felt an overwhelming pressure.
The oppressive aura of the Xuanhuang Demon God was so strong that it made them feel as if they were facing a being from an even higher realm.
"The Xuanhuang Demon God, a being rarely encountered across the ages. To perish at his hands would not be a wasted lifetime of cultivation," the Sacred Ancestor remarked, stroking his beard with a hearty laugh, entirely fearless.
Not all Free Immortals could be as composed as the Sacred Ancestor. Many of them wore grave expressions as they summoned their respective immortal treasures, each radiating an overwhelming aura that shook the heavens.
Behind them, the cultivators of the Sacred Court and the Immortal Dynasty were engaged in brutal combat with the Heavenly Demons. These two factions, which had been at odds for countless years, now stood united in the face of a common enemy.
Some chose to flee, but many more resolved to fight to the death, defending Heavenly Spirit Great Heaven at all costs.
Two Days Later
At midday, the sky remained dark, shrouded in thick, rolling black clouds.
Underneath a tree, Jue Luo Sword Master sat cross-legged, meditating while staring into the heavens, deep in thought.
Xu Jie, clad in a blue robe, approached and stood before him. With a respectful bow, he said, "Senior, thank you for your guidance over the years. I am preparing to join my sect in the upcoming battle. I don't know if I'll survive, and I have yet to repay the kindness you've shown me. This junior could only come to bid you farewell first."
Jue Luo Sword Master replied, "Hmm, go ahead. In times of chaos like this, it's often a golden age for true geniuses. The established order of heaven and earth is overturned. If you can survive, you'll have more opportunities for cultivation and fortune."
Xu Jie smiled gratefully and expressed his thanks once more before turning to leave. His gratitude was genuine, without any falsehood.
Jue Luo Sword Master, however, was indifferent to his fate. The only reason he offered such words was out of respect for Gu An.
Xu Jie was but one example. Although the Tai Cang Continent had yet to be directly impacted by the chaos, the people of the continent did not see this as a blessing. The righteous sects, led by the Tai Xuan Sect, quickly reached a consensus: they would head overseas to eradicate the Heavenly Demons and contribute to the preservation of the world.
When Lü Baitian issued a call to arms, the entire sect was invigorated, feeling immense pride in being disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect.
For righteous cultivators, who wouldn't want to save the world?
In the face of such a calamity, the Tai Xuan Sect's willingness to take the initiative and strike at the enemy was enough to inspire ninety percent of its disciples. Many were so stirred that they felt a newfound determination to fight to the death for this cause.
The Third Medicine Valley, however, was not summoned for the campaign, as its purpose was to cultivate medicinal herbs. Still, Gu An gave his disciples a choice: those who wished to leave could do so but must think carefully. He, on the other hand, would not take action unless the enemy set foot on the Tai Cang Continent.
After Gu An made this statement, over five hundred disciples immediately volunteered to join the campaign alongside the Tai Xuan Sect. Even more were still observing, while only a small minority chose to stay behind without hesitation.
That day, Gu An left the Third Medicine Valley alone. The Blood Prison Saint intended to accompany him, but Gu An refused.
Gu An traveled to the secluded paradise where he brought out the three women, Tian Yao'er, Tianqing, and Tianbai. With a single step, they crossed the vast ocean and arrived at a remote island far from the Tai Cang Continent.
Standing on the island, the three women could see demonic energy surging on all horizons, as if the island were situated in the heart of the Demon Realm.
Having been confined for nearly a millennium, everything outside felt novel to them.
"Your tribulation will begin in half an hour. You're free to explore the island in the meantime," Gu An said as he gazed toward the heavens.
The Xuanhuang Demon God had yet to make a move. Instead, it was the Heavenly Demon Emperor who had taken the lead, suppressing seven Free Immortals with his overwhelming might.
The Heavenly Demon Emperor's strategy was deliberate. Gu An could feel the morale of the Heavenly Demons surging higher and higher. In contrast, the Sacred Court and the Immortal Dynasty had, after two days of bloody battle, lost much of their fighting spirit. What remained was the instinct to survive in the ongoing slaughter.
Gu An noticed that the heavenly light layer protecting the world was weakening, which piqued his curiosity.
Could the destiny of the Desolate Domain be consuming the heavenly destiny?
Was the great battle of the heavens ultimately a struggle between the Desolate Domain and the Heavenly Dao?
His gaze penetrated the boundless battlefield and landed on the distant cosmic black city. He was deeply intrigued, wondering what the Annihilation God Emperor's true intentions were.