Chapter 275 The Status of Renjian Peak

“Fellow Daoist, can you tell me more about the Holy Court?” Gu An did not immediately accept Bai Ziyao’s invitation but instead asked smoothly.

There was an empire within the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm composed entirely of celestial beings—could that be the Holy Court?

No, that dynasty was powerful, but it was definitely not the strongest. There was still an incomparably vast continent in the mortal realm, so immense that even a Free Soaring Immortal’s divine sense would encounter resistance just approaching its borders.

That continent must be where the Holy Court resides!

Bai Ziyao gave Gu An a suspicious look. How could this person not even know about the Holy Court? Just how long had he been in seclusion?

Though puzzled, Bai Ziyao still answered truthfully.

“The Holy Court is the absolute ruler of the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm and the origin of the Immortal Dao. It is located in Dao Divine State, the largest continent in the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm. The human race also originated from Dao Divine State before spreading throughout the realm.

“The Holy Court does not interfere with worldly affairs but safeguards the stability of the Great Realm. If a world-ending catastrophe or an invasion by extraterrestrial demons occurs, they will intervene. Additionally, they oversee all Qi Luck sects. Should any Qi Luck sect commit heinous acts that harm the common people, the Holy Court will send envoys to punish them.

“In the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm, cultivators from the Holy Court represent the celestial gods.

“Not all Qi Luck sects are qualified to obtain the Holy Court’s Qi Luck Seats. These seats not only enhance one’s comprehension of the laws of heaven and earth but also extend one’s lifespan, making them highly sought after by cultivators.”

Bai Ziyao’s voice carried a proud undertone as he continued, “Mortal Peak may not be as glorious as it was in ancient times, but its foundation remains deep. Many of our predecessors roam beyond the heavens. If they encounter each other, they can offer mutual aid. The authority of the Peak Lord is immense—not only does he hold an official position in the Holy Court, but he also governs a peak with millions of disciples.”

Gu An curiously asked, “How does Mortal Peak compare to the Starsea Sect Alliance, the Seven Star Spirit Realm, the Deep Sea Spirit Palace, and the Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect?”

Bai Ziyao’s eyes widened. “The Starsea Sect Alliance, Seven Star Spirit Realm, and Deep Sea Spirit Palace? How can they compare to our Mortal Peak? The founding ancestor of the Starsea Sect Alliance once trained at Mortal Peak, and their descendants must never forget the debt they owe us. As for the Seven Star Spirit Realm and the Deep Sea Spirit Palace, they’re nothing more than third-rate sects! The Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect is somewhat formidable, but that’s only because the Holy Heaven has taken an interest in Buddhism for the past million years.”

“The moment Holy Heaven’s favor shifts, their survival will be uncertain!”

Holy Heaven was the ruler of the Holy Court, a being whose true name could not be spoken.

Bai Ziyao’s disdainful tone stirred Gu An’s imagination about Mortal Peak.

Fixing his gaze on Gu An, Bai Ziyao asked, “So? Fellow Daoist Meng, why don’t you join Mortal Peak? Even though the outer heavens lack the Holy Court’s oversight, background still matters. Mortal Peak holds considerable influence.”

Gu An hesitated. “To be honest, I have some reservations about obtaining a Qi Luck Seat in the Holy Court.”

A Qi Luck Seat sounded promising, but the intricacies of Qi Luck were too complex. The Holy Court likely controlled all Qi Luck Seats, which crossed his bottom line.

“What kind of reasoning is that? If you don’t want it, I won’t force you. There are countless people who would break their heads trying to get one. With a Qi Luck Seat, you would be respected in any sect in the mortal realm. As long as you don’t go too far, you’d be an honored guest everywhere. Not every Celestial Ascension cultivator is eligible for a Qi Luck Seat.” Bai Ziyao chuckled and shook his head.

Gu An asked curiously, “If it’s so rare, why are you willing to offer it to me? We’ve only just met, and yet you invite me so readily…”

Bai Ziyao coughed lightly and said, “Isn’t it because of your outstanding talent and lack of background? In the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm, Celestial Ascension cultivators without sect affiliation are incredibly rare. Mortal Peak may be powerful, but it’s not invincible. Of course, if you join Mortal Peak and cause trouble, the sect won’t go easy on you. Our peak has existences beyond Celestial Ascension.”

After reaching the Celestial Ascension Realm, even advancing a minor stage was immensely difficult. He himself had not progressed for ten thousand years.

Gu An was unsurprised—he had already guessed that Free Soaring Immortals were hidden within Mortal Peak.

He continued, “Why not recruit Celestial Ascension cultivators from other sects, like the Starsea Sect Alliance?”

Bai Ziyao shook his head. “It’s not that easy. Setting aside karma and personal ties, those Celestial Ascension cultivators hold great power in their sects and territories, even monopolizing vast cultivation resources. Even if you join Mortal Peak and outrank them, acquiring their level of resources would be difficult. Likewise, joining their sects now wouldn’t let you surpass them. They’ve been entrenched for tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years.”

Gu An found the reasoning sound.

After some thought, he said, “In that case, I’ll join Mortal Peak, but I can’t go there right away.”

“No problem. Mortal Peak won’t restrict you. In fact, your disciples would probably prefer you to be away. That way, they can enjoy their freedom. My own disciples and grand-disciples have probably forgotten all about me.” Bai Ziyao laughed at himself.

He then took out a piece of green jade, intricately carved with a mountain peak.

“This is the Mortal Jade, a symbol of peak lord status. If you encounter Mortal Peak disciples or affiliated sects, you can show it. Of course, with your cultivation, you can already dominate the mortal realm.” Bai Ziyao grinned.

Gu An took the Mortal Jade and studied it carefully.

He asked, “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll abuse it and then run away?”

Bai Ziyao laughed. “If you cause trouble, the Holy Court will deal with you. As long as they confirm you were never truly part of Mortal Peak, they won’t hold the sect accountable. In fact, by displaying the Mortal Jade, you’re actually strengthening Mortal Peak’s reputation—letting the world know that we’ve gained another Celestial Ascension cultivator.”

Gu An grew more wary of the Holy Court.

No wonder the Seven Star Spirit Realm didn’t dare openly harm the continent’s people—it was because they feared the Holy Court.

Even the Starsea Sect Alliance had dispatched disciples to gather evidence against the Seven Star Spirit Realm, likely planning to report them.

The Holy Court protected the people but not sects. However, the world was vast, and it couldn’t oversee every being. There were always places where suffering went unnoticed.

Gu An continued asking about Mortal Peak’s influence, and Bai Ziyao answered openly, detailing their allies and affiliated forces, as well as their enemies.

Overall, Mortal Peak had more friends than foes, which was why it remained dominant.

As they talked, the conversation drifted to the outer heavens. Gu An intentionally hinted at his desire to explore beyond, hoping to dissuade Bai Ziyao from investigating his past.

After a long discussion, Gu An finally bid farewell. Instead of heading toward the Heavenly Spirit Great Realm, he flew deep into space.

Bai Ziyao watched him leave, deep in thought.

“He mentioned the Starsea Sect Alliance, the Seven Star Spirit Realm, and the Deep Sea Spirit Palace. Those factions are close together—could he have come from that region? I should take a look. A Celestial Ascension cultivator without a sect background emerging from such a place? Strange, very strange…”

After parting ways, Gu An only pretended to head toward the Silent Extinction Domain. Once outside the range of Celestial Ascension divine senses, he used the Infinite Free Step technique to return to the mortal realm.

His soul re-entered his body. Stretching lazily, he noticed that dawn had not yet arrived.

He sensed Ji Xuanyu downstairs, her breathing steady as she cultivated.

“The outer heavens may be vast, but the mortal realm brings me peace.” Gu An smiled at the thought.

He had no need for fortuitous encounters—why risk his life fighting Heavenly Demons?

Time was on his side.

With his annual lifespan gains, he couldn’t even imagine how powerful he’d be in ten thousand years.

For Celestial Ascension cultivators, ten thousand years wasn’t long—let alone for a Mystic Law Spirit Immortal like him.

Gu An picked up a travelogue and began to read.

The moon set, and the sun rose.

Another day dawned over Medicine Valley.

Gu An got up, straightened his robes, and went downstairs to lead his disciples in morning exercises.

Nearly a thousand people training together was quite a sight.

Ji Xuanyu stepped out from her room. She didn’t participate in the exercises, merely standing to the side and watching, as had become her habit.

When the training ended, Li Lingtian ran over eagerly, grinning. “Xuanyu, I recently mastered a powerful spell. Do you want to see it?”

Ji Xuanyu didn’t even spare him a glance. Her eyes remained fixed on Gu An.

Li Lingtian noticed her gaze and immediately felt sour. He muttered, “Xuanyu, my Senior Brother Gu is quite the playboy. He has a junior sister who adores him, the Dao Tian Sect’s Saintess has feelings for him, and even Elder Lu, who left earlier, wanted him as her Dao companion.”

Ji Xuanyu frowned slightly and looked at him. “Why are you telling me this?”

Li Lingtian coughed awkwardly. “Just in case you didn’t know.”

Ji Xuanyu’s voice turned cold. “Do you know why you’ll never be on the same level as Yang Jian?”

“Why?” Li Lingtian asked instinctively.

“Because your mind is impure. A cultivator should focus on the Dao, yet here you are, consumed by trivial romance. You’re narrow-minded and lack vision. Yes, I do admire him, but I’ve never thought of becoming his Dao companion. My goal is to pursue cultivation, as is his. That’s why, despite having many admirers, he remains unattached.”

Ji Xuanyu’s tone was calm. After finishing her words, she walked past Li Lingtian and headed toward Gu An.

Li Lingtian stood there, his expression stiff. He wasn’t angry—rather, he was deep in thought.

She was right.

What kind of cultivator was he, getting distracted by emotions?

Now that he thought about it, Yang Jian was entirely devoted to his cultivation. Besides training and doing chores, he rarely engaged in anything else.

Li Lingtian rubbed his chest, still sore from his spar with Yang Jian the night before.

Meanwhile, Gu An didn’t care about Li Lingtian and Ji Xuanyu’s conversation. After exchanging a few words with Ji Xuanyu, he mounted Blood Prison Great Saint and left, with Yang Jian following close behind.

Today was collection day.

Just like that, a month passed quickly.

One day, Gu An arrived at Phoenix Mountain, at Nianchu Cave Dwelling.

The moment Tian Yao’er saw him, she ran up excitedly. “Master! There’s something happening in the Hidden Celestial Realm—a divine herb is about to mature!”

Gu An’s interest was piqued. He immediately called over Tianqing and Tianbai to accompany him.

The moment he called them, Tianqing and Tianbai clung to his arms affectionately, preventing Tian Yao’er from getting close.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep