Chapter 106: The Nine Nether Path

Li Ya ultimately agreed to infiltrate the Nightshade Sect. Gu An didn’t offer him much comfort, maintaining the image of a mysterious elder.

After leaving the Northern Sea Mountains, Gu An returned to Xuan Valley.

His next plan was to embark on a long-term effort to stockpile lifespan, with the ambitious goal of reaching ten million years!

As winter gave way to spring, the Spring Festival arrived. Across the Taicang Empire, from the states to the provinces, festivities filled the air, with lanterns and decorations everywhere. Even Taixuan Sect joined in the celebration, hosting its own festival.

One day, Gu An strolled through the Outer Sect City with Xiao Chuan and Lu Lingjun.

Lu Lingjun seemed quite intrigued by the festivities. She had specifically requested this trip to the Outer Sect City, and since the Heavenly Spirit Water she provided had proved extraordinary, forming the Heavenly Spirit Lake, she had earned Gu An’s favor. As a result, he decided to bring her along.

With Lü Baitian having failed his tribulation, Gu An thought that drawing Lu Lingjun fully into Taixuan Sect could shield him in the future.

By now, Gu An’s foundation was secure, and the stronger Taixuan Sect became, the longer he could bide his time.

Over the years, the sect had seen fewer dark incidents, deepening Gu An’s sense of belonging.

Upon arriving in the Outer Sect City, Xiao Chuan went off on his own to meet some friends.

Gu An led Lu Lingjun to the Heavenly Mending Platform to show her the “Righteous Path” inscription.

When Gu An had carved those two characters, he had only just reached the Integration Stage. This was why the demonic path feared Lü Baitian more. The sword intent left on the platform wasn’t overwhelming for an Integration Stage cultivator, as the inscription had been carved remotely.

“Even after all these years, the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path’s sword intent still draws so many to admire it. Truly remarkable,” Gu An said wistfully.

Lu Lingjun, who had seen the inscription when she first joined Taixuan Sect, nodded in agreement. “It is indeed remarkable.”

In her world, she had never encountered such powerful sword intent, which made her even more eager to explore Taixuan Sect’s depths.

If the Outer Sect possessed such treasures, how profound must the Inner Sect’s resources be? And what of the Main Sect City?

Merely imagining it filled her with excitement. She believed she could find the key to breaking through to higher realms here.

However, Gu An noticed her nonchalant reaction, as if she were being perfunctory.

Damn! Does she look down on my sword intent?

Could she truly believe she could surpass him at the Integration Stage?

The thought sobered Gu An. His self-satisfaction quickly gave way to humility.

The world was vast, with countless prodigies—especially those who could rise from one world to another. He couldn’t afford to underestimate anyone.

Gu An continued scanning the Heavenly Mending Platform, using his lifespan probing ability on unfamiliar cultivators.

Because it was Spring Festival, the crowd was smaller than usual. Most cultivators were relaxing and enjoying the festivities.

“Valley Master, may I wander around on my own?” Lu Lingjun asked.

Gu An’s heart sank further. Was his sword intent so unappealing?

“Go ahead. Let’s meet back here at dusk,” Gu An said with a nod, secretly resolving to ensure Lu Lingjun stayed with Taixuan Sect.

Such a talented individual should serve the sect!

Wait… why was he suddenly thinking like the Sect Master?

Curse Lü Baitian!

Shaking his head, Gu An made his way to the Alchemy Hall. In the Outer Sect City, many of his friends were concentrated there and in the Library Hall. Each visit, he enjoyed chatting and drinking with them, listening to their cultivation tales. It was a simple and relaxing life.

Meanwhile, Lu Lingjun wandered the streets until someone approached her.

“Miss, I’ve got some great books here. Care to buy one? Many female disciples love them,” a disciple said mysteriously, glancing around as if afraid of being caught.

Raising an eyebrow, Lu Lingjun asked, “Do you have Adventures of the Green Hero?”

The disciple’s eyes lit up. “Ah, a true connoisseur! I could tell from your extraordinary bearing. Yes, I do. Buy one copy of Secrets of Taixuan, and I’ll throw in two copies of Adventures of the Green Hero for free!”

“Oh? How many volumes does Adventures of the Green Hero have?”

“Quite a few. Do you want the whole set?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, 200 low-grade spirit stones for ten copies of Secrets of Taixuan, and I’ll give you the entire set of Adventures of the Green Hero.”

“Deal.”

The two completed their transaction. The disciple quickly left, looking as though he had just committed a crime.

Lu Lingjun suspected she had been swindled. A legendary manual or a secretive tome couldn’t possibly be this cheap. But 200 low-grade spirit stones meant little to her. She stowed the books in her storage bag, intending to examine them later.

At the Alchemy Hall, Gu An encountered a familiar face: An Xin, one of the disciples he had taken under his wing in the Outer Sect.

An Xin had mediocre talent and had to remain in the Outer Sect. An Hao, however, hadn’t forgotten her, often sending her various pills. Yet her cultivation progress remained slow.

The stark difference between their fates—both hailing from the same village—made Gu An reflect on the unfairness of the heavens.

An Xin, unwilling to rely solely on An Hao, worked tirelessly, performing odd jobs in the Alchemy Hall.

Seeing her being berated by a male disciple, Gu An sighed inwardly.

Perhaps I should take care of her for the rest of her life.

Though he valued An Hao more, An Xin was still his disciple.

Moreover, he worried that as An Hao’s enemies grew stronger, they would one day target An Xin as his weakness.

Resolving to act, Gu An walked up to her. The male disciple immediately stopped and greeted him with a forced smile before scurrying off.

In the Alchemy Hall, Gu An held considerable sway due to his close ties with the hall’s elders.

Once they were alone, Gu An looked at An Xin.

“Valley Master Gu, what do you need?” An Xin asked nervously.

Unlike the other Outer Sect disciples, she knew exactly who Gu An was—a man who could laugh and chat with the Sect Master. She had met him before when Lü Baitian brought An Hao to visit during a festival. Though Gu An hadn’t spoken to her then, she remembered him clearly.

“Your name is An Xin, right? How about coming to the Third Medicine Valley? It’s still an errand job, but the treatment is much better. Plus, you’ll get to see An Hao more often. Your senior brother and I are close.” Gu An smiled.

An Xin hesitated.

Seeing through her thoughts, Gu An added gently, “Self-reliance is commendable, but there’s no need to make things harder for yourself. This is good for both you and An Hao—why hesitate?”

Still, An Xin remained silent.

For the first time, Gu An realized how stubborn she was. He lowered his voice, saying, “I have a technique that might change your aptitude. Prove yourself in the valley, and I’ll teach it to you.”

He referred to the Dao Yan Technique that Wu Xin had given him. It claimed to accumulate spiritual energy and suppress cultivation, enabling a breakthrough against fate itself. Though untested, it sounded promising.

Moved by his words, An Xin bit her lip and said, “Thank you, Valley Master. Should I go pack now?”

“No need to inform the Alchemy Hall—I’ll handle it. Just head to the valley. Take your time, but return by dusk,” Gu An said with a smile.

He almost reached out to pat her head but restrained himself.

She’s grown up now. It wouldn’t be appropriate—especially since we haven’t officially acknowledged our relationship.

An Xin’s face brightened with a smile. She bowed deeply before leaving.

Gu An watched An Xin’s departing figure, feeling deeply moved.

Back when she was a frail, skinny little girl, she had seemed so small and delicate. Now, she had grown into a tall and graceful young woman, which filled him with relief and pride.

As An Xin stepped over the threshold, she let out a small sigh of relief.

“Why was he smiling at me like that? Could he have bad intentions?”

The thought made her a little uneasy. However, considering the large number of disciples in the Third Medicine Valley, she reasoned that even if Gu An harbored ill intent, he wouldn’t dare act recklessly. This thought reassured her.

After returning to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An asked Lu Lingjun to arrange things for An Xin. If the two grew closer, Lu Lingjun might even be able to guide An Xin in her cultivation.

This arrangement also eased An Xin’s nerves.

Gu An had noticed her tension earlier but hadn’t thought much of it.

Shortly after, he used the teleportation array to return to Xuan Valley.

Back in Xuan Valley, Gu An summoned Chu Jingfeng and Lu Jiu Jia, formally teaching them the Dao Yan Technique.

When Gu An explained the technique’s effects, both men grew visibly excited. Lu Jiu Jia was the first to recover, dropping to his knees in gratitude.

Chu Jingfeng hesitated, clenching his teeth, but ultimately didn’t kneel.

Gu An quickly helped Lu Jiu Jia up, explaining that he didn’t require anyone to kneel before him. Loyalty wasn’t proven through such gestures.

He planned to let them test the Dao Yan Technique first. If it proved effective, he would consider teaching it to An Xin.

After the two left, Gu An pulled out the latest volume of Adventures of the Green Hero to savor it.

Over the years, the series had continued, and Gu An couldn’t help but admire its author.

“Does this person not cultivate? How do they manage to travel and write all year round?”

Under the night sky, deep in a forest, stood a decrepit temple.

Jinghong Guest sat on the roof, holding a long scroll, reading it by moonlight.

Softly, he asked, “Have you made up your mind? Once you join the Nightshade Sect, there’s no turning back. You’ll also need to bear the Nightshade Mark.”

Li Ya stood in the courtyard below, the Northern Sea Heavy Sword slung across his back. He stared at Jinghong Guest, his gaze unwavering.

“You wanted me to join the Nightshade Sect. What now? Don’t you want me anymore?” Li Ya asked coldly.

Jinghong Guest turned his gaze toward Li Ya, looking down on him with an expression of indifference, as though piercing through to his very soul.

“The Nightshade Sect’s doctrine is to pursue the Nine Nether Path. A hundred years from now, the Demonic Cataclysm will sweep across the Nine Dynasties. Only through the Nine Nether Path can one escape this mortal purgatory. Joining the Nightshade Sect is securing your path to survival. If you perform well, you may even receive the Nightshade Flower, which can enhance your aptitude,” Jinghong Guest said softly.

The mention of the Demonic Cataclysm made Li Ya frown.

He pressed further, asking what exactly the Demonic Cataclysm entailed.

Jinghong Guest didn’t withhold any details, explaining the grim future.

Hearing that endless hordes of demons would raze the Nine Dynasties, Li Ya couldn’t help but feel a chill run through him.

“That’s absurd! Head south, and there’s the sea. If we can’t win, why can’t we just escape? You’re saying only your Nine Nether Path can save us?” Li Ya retorted.

“How many cultivators throughout history have ventured south? How many of them returned? The demons in the sea are even more fearsome,” Jinghong Guest replied.

“The cultivators of the Nine Dynasties, united, might yet resist the Demonic Cataclysm!”

“Beyond the Nine Dynasties, demons surpassing the Integration Stage have already emerged. Do you even understand what the Integration Stage is? It’s a realm above the Void Transformation Stage! Such world-shaking demon lords can sweep across the Nine Dynasties single-handedly. And there’s more than one of them. Under their command are countless demons.”

Jinghong Guest’s tone was icy, as though delivering a verdict on the fate of all living beings.

Li Ya fell silent.

The realm beyond Integration…

His thoughts turned to the Li family’s progenitor. Could the ancestor have surpassed the Integration Stage?

Jinghong Guest continued, “I almost forgot to mention—there are those within the Nightshade Sect who have also surpassed the Integration Stage. When they arrive, Taixuan Sect will be reduced to rubble.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep