Third Medicine Valley – The Heavenly Rankings Tournament Continues

After returning downstairs, Gu An sat back at the stone table, watching the intense battles of the Heavenly Rankings Tournament alongside his disciples.

Defeating Biluo Zhenren had earned him over seventy years of lifespan—a decent gain.

Biluo Zhenren had lived for over seventy thousand years, yet he had been stuck in the same minor realm for over ten thousand years. He had spent those years desperately searching for an immortal opportunity, which was precisely why the Seven Star Spirit Realm had lured him into taking action.

Gu An felt no sympathy for Biluo Zhenren. Everyone must take responsibility for their own choices.

Now, what he was contemplating was how to deal with the Seven Star Spirit Realm.

If they hadn’t plotted against him, he might have left them alone. After all, delaying time worked in his favor.

The Tournament Heats Up

The first battle of the Heavenly Rankings Tournament was still ongoing.

Among cultivators of the same realm, determining a victor was difficult. Gu Xuan and Zhou Zu were both at the Profound Mind Realm, and it was obvious that they held deep grudges against each other.

Both were fighting with everything they had, providing an exhilarating spectacle for the spectators.

“It’s said that the Zhou Family has completely withdrawn their disciples from Taixuan Sect, while the Gu Family has done the opposite, fully supporting it. This battle isn’t just about strength—it’s a battle of pride.”

“With the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path here, how could the Zhou Family be so short-sighted?”

“Who knows what kind of lies Cang Heaven Sect fed them?”

“It’s rumored that the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path has never taken action against other sects. Perhaps some sects are still delusional, thinking they have a chance to win him over.”

“If battles between Profound Mind Realm cultivators are already this intense, I can’t imagine what a Grand Ascension battle would look like.”

Throughout Taixuan Sect, cultivators engaged in heated discussions about the Heavenly Rankings Tournament, while the ongoing conflict between the Zhou Family and Taixuan Sect spread across major cities.

Seated beside Gu An, An Xin and Xiao Chuan were actively discussing the matter, while You Yingying, a disciple from the Starsea Sect Alliance, mocked the Zhou Family’s foolishness—they actually believed Cang Heaven Sect’s lies?

From her perspective, the only reason the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path remained in Taixuan Sect was personal preference.

Even if the entire Three Dynasties pooled all their resources together, they wouldn’t be able to tempt him.

Meanwhile, Yang pondered the question—

What exactly did Taixuan Sect possess that made his master stay?

First Battle – Gu Xuan’s Victory

With Gu Xuan’s victory, the first battle came to an end.

As the host sect, Taixuan Sect had dominated the spotlight.

Even the overseas cultivators had begun to reevaluate their perception of the sect.

Though Taixuan Sect’s foundation was still weak, its momentum and fortune had become an unstoppable force.

Second Battle – The Overseas Cultivators

The second battle was a duel between overseas cultivators.

Gu An suspected Lü Baitian had manipulated the match-ups, but it didn’t matter.

Since the tournament followed a knockout format, losing meant elimination.

For those competing for first place, the only thing that mattered was the final victory.

Even if some cultivators had complaints about the rankings, they wouldn’t dare lose face in front of the entire world.

This match was a Grand Ascension battle. The combatants unleashed earth-shattering divine abilities, causing the lower layers of the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation to radiate golden light.

The Grand Ascension battle lasted nearly two hours before a winner emerged.

Yet, the spectators remained captivated, their excitement unshaken.

Third Day – Ye Lan and Zhen Qin Join Gu An

On the third day, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin came looking for Gu An to watch the battles together.

They had specifically come because Li Ya was scheduled to fight today, and they wanted to witness his divine abilities firsthand.

Sitting beside Gu An, Ye Lan reminisced about their early days in Xuan Valley.

Looking back, neither she nor Zhen Qin ever imagined they would reach this point.

Once, they had believed that reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm would have been a great success in this lifetime.

But now, through a combination of luck and opportunity, they had both reached the Transformation Stage.

By age alone, they would be considered once-in-a-century prodigies.

But deep down, they knew they weren’t true geniuses.

Thus, their humility remained intact, and they still held deep reverence for the path of cultivation.

Gu An, too, became lost in his own memories.

Helping the people around him live better lives gave him a sense of fulfillment.

“Cultivation should not be about severing emotions. At least, that’s what I believe.”

Li Ya’s Battle Begins

As noon approached, it was finally Li Ya’s turn to fight.

When Gu Zong called out Li Ya’s name, the entire Taixuan Sect erupted into thunderous cheers.

Divine Anomaly City had long since become legendary.

Although Li Ya’s talent might not match An Hao’s, his supreme immortal treasure ensured that no one dared underestimate him.

Clearly, Li Ya had returned to help Taixuan Sect fight for first place.

The disciples’ excitement was uncontrollable.

Listening to the cheers from all directions, Gu An smiled.

A century ago, before Li Ya left Xuan Valley, he had boasted that he would one day become famous across the world.

Now, he had achieved his dream.

“I hope that a thousand years from now, you will stand even higher, with even more people chanting your name.”

Li Ya vs. The Daoist Elder

Inside the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation, Li Ya stood tall, with a small, pitch-black spirit creature perched on his shoulder.

The Divine Anomaly Spirit bared its teeth and waved its claws at his opponent—a Daoist elder at the third level of the Nirvana Stage.

The elder’s expression was grim.

Damn Taixuan Sect!

If he won, it wouldn’t be honorable due to the massive gap in cultivation.

But if he lost, his reputation would be utterly ruined.

Why wasn’t Li Ya matched against a Scattered Immortal?

Were they using him as a sharpening stone?!

Taking a deep breath, the elder summoned his magical artifact, preparing for battle.

Li Ya wasted no time.

With a single thought, he summoned Divine Anomaly City.

From within his body, Divine Anomaly City flew out, rapidly expanding until it loomed over the battlefield, enveloping him in a phantom fortress that occupied a massive portion of the arena.

The appearance of Divine Anomaly City sent shockwaves throughout Taixuan Sect.

For most cultivators, this was their first time witnessing its power firsthand.

Their excitement soared.

The outcome of the battle was already decided.

Although it was supposed to be a duel between Li Ya and the Daoist elder, in reality, Divine Anomaly Spirit would be fighting in his place.

Yet, even inside Divine Anomaly City, Li Ya would still feel immense pressure.

If he faced a Free Soaring Immortal, the battle wouldn’t last long—he’d be crushed instantly.

Of course, there were no Free Soaring Immortals in the tournament. The only one had already been killed by Gu An.

The Battle Within the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation

The moment Divine Anomaly City materialized, the entire Taixuan Sect erupted into a frenzy.

For most cultivators, this was their first time witnessing the legendary immortal treasure in action.

“It’s actually real! The legendary Divine Anomaly City!”

“With this treasure, how could Li Ya possibly lose?!”

“Even a Nirvana Stage grandmaster has no chance against him!”

Within the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation, the Daoist elder felt his heart sink.

He had already known that Li Ya possessed Divine Anomaly City, but seeing it in person was an entirely different experience.

Its majestic and eerie presence dominated the battlefield.

“Damn it… How am I supposed to fight against this?”

His face darkened.

Even if he managed to injure Li Ya, the battle’s true challenge wasn’t him—it was Divine Anomaly City itself.

Divine Anomaly Spirit Takes Action

Inside Divine Anomaly City, the pitch-black Divine Anomaly Spirit sat atop Li Ya’s shoulder, yawning lazily.

As the Daoist elder summoned his magical artifact, Li Ya simply gestured with his hand.

The entire Divine Anomaly City trembled, and a surge of boundless ghostly energy flooded the battlefield.

Then—

A legion of ghostly wraiths burst forth from the depths of the city, their howls piercing the air as they swarmed toward the elder!

The elder’s pupils shrank in horror.

Each spirit wraith was formed from pure soul energy, capable of devouring divine sense and shattering protective barriers.

With a low growl, the elder swung his golden staff, unleashing a massive wave of cleansing fire, attempting to burn the ghosts away.

But—

The flames were instantly extinguished.

Before he could react, hundreds of spectral hands latched onto him, attempting to tear apart his soul!

“This… this isn’t a fair fight!”

He let out a furious roar, pushing his Nirvana Stage cultivation to the limit.

A burst of divine radiance erupted from his body, forcing the spirits to momentarily retreat.

But before he could counterattack—

A single ghostly claw shot forward, piercing straight through his barrier and slashing across his chest!

Blood splattered.

The elder’s expression twisted in pain.

This battle was already lost.

His mind wavered as he realized—this was no longer a duel. It was a slaughter.

Li Ya’s Victory – Taixuan Sect Reaches Its Peak!

Moments later—

The Daoist elder, covered in bloody gashes, collapsed to one knee, his aura weak and fading.

Li Ya stood motionless within Divine Anomaly City, his expression indifferent.

From start to finish, he had not even lifted a finger.

The ghostly wraiths faded back into Divine Anomaly City, their task complete.

A few heartbeats passed in absolute silence.

Then—

A thunderous roar of cheers erupted throughout Taixuan Sect!

“Li Ya has won!”

“Taixuan Sect’s strength is unstoppable!”

“With Divine Anomaly City, who can rival him?!”

For the disciples of Taixuan Sect, this victory was exhilarating.

Even the overseas cultivators who had looked down on Taixuan Sect now reconsidered their opinions.

Though Taixuan Sect’s heritage was still shallow, its fortune and momentum had reached their peak.

Meanwhile, Gu An observed everything with a faint smile.

Watching Li Ya bask in the glory, Gu An thought to himself:

“One hundred years ago, he swore he would become famous across the world. Now, he has fulfilled that vow.”

“I wonder—how high can he climb? Will he be able to break past fate and reach Nirvana?”

One thing was certain: Li Ya’s lifespan had not increased.

And that meant—he still hadn’t truly transcended fate.

The Tournament Narrows Down – The Strongest Contenders Appear

A month passed in a flash.

The Heavenly Rankings Tournament, which had begun with five hundred competitors, had now been reduced to only thirty remaining cultivators.

Among them, besides Li Ya, the weakest were already at the Grand Ascension Stage.

Apart from Li Ya, the two most talked-about figures were:

• The Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord
• Yan Qitian of the Starsea Sect Alliance

Yan Qitian was a Scattered Immortal at the ninth level.

In terms of raw power, only the Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord could match him.

Midnight – A Secret Meeting

Deep within the Inner Sect City, inside a secluded mansion, a lone figure sat in silent meditation.

It was Yan Qitian.

Dressed in a tight-fitting black robe, his elegant yet domineering aura radiated throughout the chamber.

His robe was embroidered with golden dragons and tigers, exuding a regal presence.

As he focused on restoring his energy, a sound suddenly echoed through the room—soft footsteps approaching.

Yan Qitian’s eyes snapped open.

The moment he looked up—

A dark purple shadow appeared before him.

His heart stopped for a moment.

Before he could react, the shadow spoke—its voice calm yet oppressive:

“What is the Starsea Sect Alliance’s stance on the Seven Star Spirit Realm?”

Yan Qitian’s expression shifted immediately.

This presence… this aura…

His breath caught in his throat.

Could it be…?

His mind raced, recalling the legendary sword technique he had witnessed earlier.

There was only one person it could be.

He clenched his fists and spoke cautiously,

“Senior… Are you the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path?”

The purple shadow remained silent, but Yan Qitian already knew the answer.

His heart pounded wildly.

He had witnessed how even a Nirvana Stage grandmaster had been utterly crushed by the Celestial Star-Suppressing Infinite Sword.

Even a Scattered Immortal like himself stood no chance.

He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully.

“If he’s here to talk, that means there’s room for negotiation.”

He lowered his gaze, considering his next move.

A Life-Checking Glance – The Sword Sovereign’s Insight

Gu An’s gaze swept over Yan Qitian, and with a mere thought—

A stream of lifespan data appeared before him:

【Yan Qitian (Scattered Immortal, Ninth Level) : 14,590 / 25,000 / 50,000】

“A fifty-thousand-year lifespan… He has the potential to reach the Free Soaring Immortal Stage.”

Gu An silently noted the information.

He was in no rush—he wanted to hear Yan Qitian’s answer first.

The truth was, Gu An didn’t actually need to ask this question.

The Starsea Sect Alliance had long been at war with the Seven Star Spirit Realm.

But this wasn’t just about gathering information.

Gu An wanted to gauge the Starsea Sect Alliance’s attitude toward the Seven Star Spirit Realm.

Yan Qitian finally exhaled deeply and spoke.

“To be honest… Our feud with the Seven Star Spirit Realm has lasted tens of thousands of years.”

“At this point, it’s irreconcilable. Before long, the Starsea Sect Alliance will launch a full-scale assault against them.”

Yan Qitian analyzed the political situation on the continent, deducing that the Sword Sovereign must be planning to oppose the Seven Star Spirit Realm.

He then recalled something critical.

“The Taixuan Sect’s Xuantian Yi had publicly denounced the Seven Star Spirit Realm after returning to the Starsea Sect Alliance…”

Gu An nodded.

“After the Heavenly Rankings Tournament, return to the Starsea Sect Alliance and gather every piece of intelligence on the Seven Star Spirit Realm—especially information on their strongest cultivators. I only need the information. In return, you will be rewarded. This transaction is between you and me—it does not involve your sect. You must not tell anyone about this deal.”

Hearing this, Yan Qitian’s face lit up with excitement.

“The Sword Sovereign wants to destroy the Seven Star Spirit Realm?!”

Without hesitation, he responded,

“Understood! No need for rewards—I’ll gather the information for free!”

Gu An remained expressionless, his voice calm but firm:

“Good. But do not inform the Starsea Sect Alliance just yet—at least, not for now.”

“Understood, Senior!” Yan Qitian nodded, his tone respectful.

At that moment, the dark purple shadow vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the lingering pressure of its presence.

Yan Qitian finally released the breath he had been holding.

The pressure of facing the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path was far beyond what he had ever experienced before.

Just now, he had felt as though he had been walking on the edge of a blade, one wrong move away from instant death.

His palms were drenched in sweat, and yet, his eyes burned with anticipation.

“The Seven Star Spirit Realm… they’re doomed.”

He chuckled softly to himself.

A Silent Departure – Gu An’s Next Move

Having finished his conversation with Yan Qitian, Gu An’s divine sense withdrew from the mansion.

Outside, the night sky stretched endlessly, with the Heavenly Rankings Tournament still ongoing in the distance.

He stepped into the void, his figure fading as he teleported away.

His destination—not back to Third Medicine Valley.

Instead, he headed deep into the wilderness, beyond the borders of Taixuan Sect’s territory.

His true goal was to find a way to test the strength of the Seven Star Spirit Realm.

After all, if they lacked a Free Soaring Immortal, then…

He would erase them from existence.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep