Seeing Yang, who was now like a completely different person, Gu An couldn’t help but smile.

Yang had directly reached the fifth level of the Foundation Establishment Stage, and his vitality was far stronger than ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators. This proved that the pills and herbs Gu An had given him had not gone to waste. Of course, Yang’s physique undoubtedly still held many more mysteries, which would only be uncovered through future cultivation.

Gu An took out a blue robe and handed it to Yang Zhi, who quickly put it on.

Seeker of Immortality Daoist strode over to Yang and carefully examined him, growing more delighted the longer he looked, as if he had found a rare treasure. Yang, however, felt a little uncomfortable under his intense gaze.

“Young friend, your master treats you exceedingly well. Do you know what kind of tribulation you just endured?” Seeker of Immortality Daoist asked.

Hearing this, Yang immediately became curious and pressed him for details.

The Seeker of Immortality Daoist then began explaining the Profound Nether Heavenly Tribulation, revealing that it was Gu An who had dispersed the tribulation, bearing an immense karmic burden as a result.

Upon hearing this, Yang’s face drastically changed. He quickly bypassed the Seeker of Immortality Daoist, ran to Gu An, and knelt down.

“Master… how could this disciple be worthy of such a sacrifice? I have failed you…”

He pressed his forehead to the ground, his voice choked with emotion.

He was deeply moved yet filled with guilt. His master had defied fate for him—not only providing precious pills and herbs but also taking on the burden of karmic retribution. This kindness was beyond measure.

Since childhood, he had lived a peaceful and happy life with his family. But ever since his spiritual root was tested, his world had become dark. Gu An was the one who brought him hope—and fulfilled that hope.

Yang knew that his master could have chosen any other disciple; there was no reason it had to be him. This realization made the weight of the favor feel even heavier.

Gu An looked down at him and said, “Since you’ve acknowledged me as your master, this is simply what a master should do. Get up. I don’t expect you to repay me in the future—just don’t get into trouble and drag me down with you.”

Yang looked up and saw Gu An wink at him.

He immediately understood—it was a joke!

It was the same line Patriarch Bodhi had told Sun Wukong in Journey to the West.

“Master…”

“Get up already. A grown man crying like this—what kind of behavior is that?”

“…Alright.”

Watching the interaction between Gu An and Yang, Seeker of Immortality Daoist felt deeply moved. He had a gut feeling that, many years from now, today’s events would become a legendary tale when Yang’s name shook the world.

Taking two steps forward, he said, “Daoist friend, fate has brought us together. I have a divine ability that I wish to pass on to your disciple. Would you mind?”

Gu An responded, “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and thank the senior.”

Yang immediately turned to the Seeker of Immortality Daoist, cupped his fists, and sincerely expressed his gratitude.

The Seeker of Immortality Daoist retrieved a secret manual from his sleeve and personally handed it to Yang. “Young friend, what is your name? I will follow your progress in the future.”

Yang took the manual and glanced at Gu An. Seeing his master nod in approval, he then replied, “My name is Yang.”

“Yang Zhi?”

The Seeker of Immortality Daoist memorized the name. He felt as if he had read it in some book before.

With that, he no longer disturbed the master and disciple and took his leave.

Gu An then began teaching Yang Zhi the Primal Heaven and Earth Art!

The Myriad Forms Qi Technique and Primal Heaven and Earth Art were the very foundations of Gu An’s strength. Even An Hao had only been allowed to cultivate a lower-tier version of it, showing just how highly Gu An regarded Yang.

Over the years, Yang had never been particularly charismatic, but Gu An admired his honest and diligent nature.

The kid was smart, but he did things steadily.

He clearly wanted to attach himself to Gu An, yet he never actively sought an opportunity to curry favor. Instead, he spent years earnestly serving the Blood Prison Great Saint and the White Spirit Mouse, which Gu An found rather amusing.

To Gu An, Yang Zhi was like an unpolished gem, and he looked forward to seeing what kind of person Yang would become under his careful guidance.

Gu An didn’t expect any repayment from Yang in the future. Teaching him was simply a way to pass the time.

He just wanted to train a disciple, that’s all.

Dusk, Third Medicine Valley.

Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint down from the Teleportation Platform, with Yang Zhi following beside him.

“Master, where have you two been? I haven’t seen you in four days!” An Xin curiously asked as she passed by.

Her gaze landed on Yang Zhi, and her eyes widened in shock as she examined him closely.

“Just went out for a bit.”

Gu An casually responded, then dismounted and headed toward the pavilion.

An Xin immediately walked up to Yang Zhi, scrutinizing him. “Are you really Yang? You’ve changed so much!”

Yang Zhi had already grasped the method of the Myriad Forms Qi Technique, allowing him to suppress his aura. However, he still couldn’t fully disguise his cultivation level.

Feeling a bit uneasy, he explained, “Master gave me a bone-tempering pill, so my skin got a little fairer.”

“I see. Looks like Master has officially accepted you as his final disciple.” An Xin smiled. She wasn’t envious—after all, her own master was far stronger than Gu An.

Although the Alchemy Hall disciples all called Gu An ‘Master,’ it was only a title of respect with no real meaning behind it.

Yang scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. Though still somewhat awkward, he now carried himself with newfound confidence.

As the two chatted, more and more disciples noticed Yang Zhi’s transformation and gathered around to ask questions.

In just a few days, he had gone from looking like a country boy to a refined young nobleman. This drastic change left many who knew him in shock.

Before long, rumors spread about Yang becoming Gu An’s final disciple. Because of Yang’s transformation, Gu An became even more mysterious in the eyes of the disciples.

Time flew by.

Another Spring Festival arrived.

The Heavenly Rankings Tournament had dominated discussions throughout the cultivation world, and Taixuan Sect had finalized the tournament’s date—it would be held ten years later, during the Spring Festival.

When Ye Lan and Zhen Qin visited Third Medicine Valley to see Gu An, he introduced Yang Zhi to them, openly acknowledging him as his disciple.

To mark the occasion, Ye Lan gifted Yang a magical artifact.

Zhen Qin was delighted and immediately took on the role of an elder sister, telling Yang he could seek her out in the Inner Sect if he ever needed anything.

What they didn’t realize was that Gu An had deliberately introduced Yang to them to provide them with a strong backer.

Since awakening his physique, Yang’s cultivation speed had skyrocketed.

In just six months, he had advanced from the fifth to the sixth level of the Foundation Establishment Stage—an astonishing pace. At this rate, he would likely reach the Core Formation Stage before the Heavenly Rankings Tournament.

Half a year ago, he had only been at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage.

Aside from his rapid cultivation, Yang displayed an exceptional affinity for the Myriad Forms Qi Technique—as if he had been born to practice body refinement.

Even Lü Baitian came to Third Medicine Valley to speak with Gu An, and Gu An introduced Yang Zhi to him as well.

Inside the room, Lü Baitian examined Yang Zhi, growing more and more surprised.

“This blood essence… it’s extraordinary!”

Even though Yang Zhi had concealed his cultivation, his aura alone made it clear that he was no ordinary man.

By nightfall, Gu An visited the Nianchu Cave Dwelling, bringing fine wine and delicacies. He sat at a stone table with Tian Yao’er, Tian Qing, and Tian Bai.

“Slow down—you act like you’ve never eaten before.”

Gu An laughed as he watched the three demons wolf down their food.

Still wearing his mask, he lifted his cup and took a sip of wine.

Tian Yao’er wiped the grease from her lips and curiously asked, “Master, you seem very happy?”

Gu An chuckled. “Not bad. I took in a disciple recently—he’s got great talent and keeps surprising me.”

Tian Yao’er smirked. “A disciple? Male or female?”

“Male. Why?”

“Nothing. I just hope I get a chance to spar with him someday.”

Gu An smiled. “Sure.”

Deep into the Night, Nianchu Cave Dwelling

Tian Yao’er smirked, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. “I won’t go easy on him just because he’s your disciple.”

Gu An chuckled. “That’s exactly what I want. If he can’t handle even you, he’s got a long way to go.”

Tian Yao’er raised an eyebrow but said nothing more, silently making a mental note to test Yang Zhi’s strength one day.

Although her natural lifespan far exceeded Yang Zhi’s, she was still a demon, which made comparisons unfair. However, in terms of talent, she was certain that Yang Zhi couldn’t match her.

That being said… the way Gu An spoke about his disciple made her curious.

Gu An wasn’t one to exaggerate, and if he said Yang Zhi had potential, then there had to be something truly special about him.

The group drank and chatted late into the night, laughter echoing through the cave dwelling.

After the Spring Festival

Gu An set out to find a secluded place to break through.

Afterward, he planned to visit An Hao.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep