Chapter 264 You Die, or I Die

This was the first time Gu An had heard the name of Yang Jian’s physique, making him even more intrigued by the mysterious black shadow.

This person must be the Ancient Supreme Physique that the Seeker of Immortality Daoist mentioned!

The illusion remained an icy world of snow and frost. Amidst the endless snowfall, the black shadow looked even more eerie and terrifying.

Yang Jian gritted his teeth and asked, “Who exactly are you? Why do you keep haunting me?”

Clearly, he had seen this figure before in his visions.

Under normal circumstances, he would have been terrified, but with his master by his side, his courage soared. Now, all he felt was anger.

The black shadow halted, slowly opening a pair of cold eyes that landed directly on Yang Jian, making his heart clench.

“You and I are both Physiques of Fortune, born from the very essence of Heaven and Earth. Your Tyrant Body is even stronger than ordinary supreme physiques, which makes me particularly fond of it. A million years ago, I once devoured a Xuan Gang Tyrant Body, and my vitality surged tremendously. To this day, I still savor the taste,” the black shadow sighed, as if reminiscing about the past.

His words sent chills down Yang Jian’s spine.

This guy wants to eat me?!

Gu An took a step forward and said, “State your name. Let’s see if your name has left any mark upon this world.”

The black shadow turned its gaze toward Gu An and chuckled. “I am Tian Wuchang. Have you heard of me?”

Tian Wuchang?

Gu An frowned in thought. He had never heard of this name before.

Tian Wuchang kept his eyes fixed on Yang Jian and continued, “Soon, I shall descend upon this mortal realm. I’ll save you for last. Once I’ve devoured all the other Physiques of Fortune, I’ll come for you. You cannot escape. Even if you flee beyond the heavens, I will still find you. Your only chance is to train hard, unlock the profundities of your Xuan Gang Tyrant Body, and grow strong.”

“Either you die, or I perish!”

Yang Jian clenched his teeth. Though his heart pounded in fear, he refused to cower with his master present. He took a deep breath and said solemnly, “Then come. Let me see what you’re capable of!”

Tian Wuchang burst into laughter before turning away and vanishing into the endless snowfall.

With his departure, the illusion formed by karmic power shattered.

Yang Jian opened his eyes and saw his master standing before him.

Gu An pulled him to his feet and said, “He has already declared war on you. He likely won’t disturb you again. You can focus on your cultivation now.”

Within the illusion, Gu An had been unable to use his Lifespan Perception on Tian Wuchang.

However, he did not feel an insurmountable force from the opponent’s karmic energy, so he remained calm.

Yang Jian, still worried, asked hesitantly, “Master, should I leave Medicine Valley? Just in case…”

“Nonsense! Focus on your cultivation. If you speak such foolishness again, I’ll cripple your Dao foundation!” Gu An rebuked sharply, cutting him off.

Yang Jian opened his mouth but ultimately swallowed back his words.

He had felt Tian Wuchang’s overwhelming power more than anyone else. He couldn’t describe it, but though he trusted his master, he dreaded the thought of Gu An being injured or dragged into a larger calamity because of him.

Gu An, however, did not make any bold claims about easily defeating Tian Wuchang. After all, he didn’t truly know how strong the entity was. Instead, he saw this as an opportunity to pressure Yang Jian into growing faster.

“He said he will hunt down other Physiques of Fortune first. Those people are surely under the protection of powerful factions. You have plenty of time to grow,” Gu An reassured him.

“Everyone has their tribulations and destiny to face. Only by constantly overcoming them can you break free from your shackles. The path of cultivation is one of defying the heavens—you must forge a heart that is unyielding and fearless.”

Yang Jian took a deep breath, his expression turning resolute.

Yeah… What’s the point of overthinking?

If the enemy comes, then fight. If the waters rise, build a dam.

As long as he gave it his all, even if he died, he would have no regrets!

He then resumed practicing the Infinite Free Step.

Spring Festival & Taixuan Sect’s Upcoming Tournament

As winter snow blanketed the world, turning heaven and earth into a seamless white, Gu An and Yang Jian stood like tiny specks amidst the vast forest.

Just as Gu An had predicted, Tian Wuchang never returned. Yang Jian was finally free from the torment of illusions.

The New Year Festival arrived, and Taixuan Sect remained as lively as ever, unaffected by the crisis in the ocean.

That year, the sect began preparations for a new tournament.

After the festival, Lü Baitian sought out Gu An to discuss Taixuan Sect’s upcoming event.

This time, the sect was planning to host a Body Cultivation Tournament, where participants were forbidden from using spiritual energy or magical artifacts—only pure physical strength and martial techniques would be tested.

After discussing the tournament, Lü Baitian began venting about the branch sects.

Their growing influence had reached a point where he could no longer interfere. The Elder Hall and Venerable Pavilion had deliberately been shifting power away from him.

Gu An simply listened without offering an opinion.

There was always internal strife within Taixuan Sect—just like in any faction or region.

As long as the sect’s overall stability wasn’t threatened, Gu An had no interest in getting involved. If Lü Baitian couldn’t outmaneuver others within the rules, then it was simply a matter of strength.

The conversation soon shifted to the Ji Family.

Since the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path had ventured into the Seven Star Spirit Realm, the realm still existed, but its dominance had declined. Consequently, it had forged friendly ties with Taixuan Sect, forcing the Ji Family to reestablish its alliance with the sect.

Though Lü Baitian remained indifferent to the Ji Family, Ji Hantian—who was still the sect’s Vice Master—had arranged for the family to settle in the branch sects to assist with their development. Thanks to their efforts, the branch sects had flourished rapidly.

Then, Lü Baitian suddenly asked, “Do you still remember Ji Xiaoyu, the Ji Family’s Third Young Miss?”

Gu An nodded, but Lü Baitian’s next words made his face darken.

“Ji Xiaoyu died long ago inside the Seven Star Spirit Realm—on the very day the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path swept through the realm.” Lü Baitian sighed, observing Gu An’s expression.

Gu An’s face flickered with shock, sorrow, and fury before settling into a dull, somber look.

He fell silent and poured himself a drink.

Did this kid have feelings for Ji Xiaoyu?

It made sense. After all, it was Ji Xiaoyu who had arranged for Gu An to enter Taixuan Sect. And in terms of beauty, Ji Xiaoyu was undoubtedly an exceptional woman.

Lü Baitian pondered this as he observed Gu An.

Meanwhile, Gu An secretly praised himself for his stellar acting—his ability to evoke emotions had clearly reached new heights.

The room remained silent for a long time.

Finally, Lü Baitian spoke again. “People come and go on the path of cultivation… but there is something else strange I wanted to mention.”

Gu An lifted his eyes. “What is it?”

Lü Baitian replied, “Another Ji Xiaoyu has appeared.”

This new Ji Xiaoyu, born in a different Ji Family, was even more talented than the previous one. She had been given the same name to commemorate the original Ji Xiaoyu because she, too, possessed an Innate Dao Sigil.

Gu An fell into deep thought.

A new Ji Xiaoyu…? Could this be reincarnation? Or soul possession?

Lü Baitian shook his head. “Unlikely. The aura of their Innate Dao Sigils is different. It seems the Ji Family didn’t just inherit the Dao Sigil… They were the ones who created it.”

His voice was filled with emotion, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.

Gu An sighed but remained silent.

Sensing that Gu An had lost interest in the conversation, Lü Baitian left.

As soon as he was gone, Gu An chuckled, humming a tune as he flipped open a book—Adventures of the Green Hero was still being updated!

A New Ji Xiaoyu

As the seasons changed from spring to summer, the world once again brimmed with vitality.

Under the Sevenfold Purity Tree, Gu An leaned lazily against the trunk, absently stroking a drowsy White Spirit Mouse by his side. Though his eyes were closed as if napping, his divine sense was focused elsewhere—watching over Xiao Chuan’s life.

Xiao Chuan had long since established himself in a prosperous city. Now a family man, he lived a stable and fulfilling life, his demeanor and stature starkly different from his time in Medicine Valley.

He now carried the air of a true patriarch, with a wife, a son, and a daughter. His estate was well-staffed with servants, and from what Gu An could see, he was doing quite well.

With that assurance, Gu An shifted his attention elsewhere—toward the Severed Sea Rift.

Stretching across the ocean like a scar on the world, the massive rift was constantly surrounded by cultivators and demonic beasts. Some ventured in, while others emerged—whether living beings or eerie Divine Anomaly Wraiths.

The scene was both grand and oppressive, carrying an unshakable sense of impending catastrophe.

After watching for a while, Gu An stood up—someone was approaching.

A figure soared through the clouds, descending swiftly into Medicine Valley.

It was none other than Ji Hantian, the Vice Master of Taixuan Sect.

Beside him was a young girl dressed in lavish robes, her bearing refined and noble.

Gu An walked forward to greet them, casually activating Lifespan Perception on the girl.

【Ji Xiaoyu (Qi Refining Stage, Ninth Layer): 11/240/9999】

Nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years of potential lifespan?!

Good heavens.

The previous Ji Xiaoyu had an upper lifespan of 8,900 years, but in this life, her limit had increased.

Could it be that she was refining herself through reincarnation?

Ji Hantian smiled as he saw Gu An approach. When Gu An got closer, he spoke directly.

“I need you to look after her for a while. This is Ji Xiaoyu, from one of the Ji Family’s branch houses.”

Gu An pretended to be caught off guard, his gaze shifting to the young girl.

She was only eleven years old, barely reaching Ji Hantian’s elbow.

Her expression was composed, her eyes carrying an ancient weight, much like the previous Ji Xiaoyu in her youth—wise beyond her years.

Seeing Gu An’s silence, Ji Hantian added, “She just happens to share the same name. Lü Baitian probably already told you about her. Let her train in your Medicine Valley for now. I’ll come back for her later.”

Without waiting for a response, Ji Hantian turned and vanished into the sky.

Gu An and Ji Xiaoyu stood on the grass, staring at each other in silence.

The atmosphere was… oddly tense.

Then, suddenly—

A figure materialized before Ji Xiaoyu, squatting down to study her closely.

It was Nine-Fingered Divine Lord.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep