Chapter 279 The Great Pan An

Looking at the flood dragon, Gu An felt its aura was somewhat familiar. He couldn’t help but sense it more carefully.

Huh?

Isn’t this Hao Long’s aura?

But this creature was clearly not Hao Long.

Hao Long was still serving as the sacred beast of the Gu Hao Sect. Gu An spread out his divine sense, and sure enough, that guy was still napping.

Gu An began to probe into the flood dragon’s karmic origins, quickly understanding the full story.

It turned out that this was originally a serpent demon that had absorbed Hao Long’s true blood, allowing it to undergo a transformation into a flood dragon, greatly enhancing its potential.

His gaze shifted toward the young man standing atop the flood dragon, and he cast a lifespan examination.

[Xu Jin (Ninth Level of Foundation Establishment): 32/350/3080]

A maximum lifespan of 3,080 years—this would have been considered a rare genius in the past. But in the current world, it could only be regarded as talented, far from the level of a true prodigy.

Xu Jin was dressed in luxurious white robes, with an exquisitely crafted hair crown atop his head. He exuded an air of confidence and appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old.

The flood dragon beneath his feet stretched ten zhang long. As it flew at low altitude, it stirred up fierce winds, sending tiles flying from rooftops, lanterns and sunshades tumbling from the streets, and causing widespread chaos wherever it passed.

Ji Xuanyu frowned at the sight. She raised her wine cup, preparing to take action.

Gu An placed a hand over hers and smiled. “No rush.”

Ji Xuanyu looked at him and said, “This is a mortal city. Though there are some cultivators here, they are few and far between. How can they possibly stop that—”

Before she could finish speaking, the sharp sound of a sword leaving its sheath echoed throughout the city.

The flood dragon let out a bloodcurdling screech as its back erupted with fresh blood, plummeting toward the street below.

The common folk scattered in terror, while Xu Jin, atop the flood dragon’s head, was utterly panicked. He hastily leaped onto a nearby rooftop.

Just as he landed, a sword was already at his throat.

His pupils shrank in shock, and cold sweat streamed down his face.

“Who… who are you? What do you want?”

Xu Jin’s voice trembled.

Behind him, a voice rang out, “Acting so recklessly—are you planning to disregard the laws of the Taicang Empire?”

—

Inside the inn.

Gu An withdrew his gaze and looked at Ji Xuanyu with a smile. “See?”

The one who acted was a Nascent Soul cultivator who had concealed his aura, which was why Ji Xuanyu hadn’t noticed him earlier.

Ji Xuanyu took a deep look at the sword cultivator before turning to Gu An. “The current emperor is truly competent. I had assumed his laws against rogue cultivators were just for show, but it seems they are actually being enforced. This sword cultivator’s aura is no joke. The moment he drew his sword, his sword intent was incredibly strong.”

Gu An nodded. “The Taicang Empire is now full of hidden experts. No place is without a grandmaster cultivator.”

“But you and I are both at the Core Formation Stage. Why could you sense him, but I couldn’t?”

“What kind of question is that? Are you expecting me to say you’re inferior to me? Come on, at least give me some credit—I’m a whole 156 years older than you.”

“I heard you were once a Golden Ranking genius, yet you always claimed your talent wasn’t great. Now it seems… were you just pretending to be weak?”

“You got me. Actually, I’m an immortal living in the mortal world, hiding my power.”

“Hah.”

Ji Xuanyu rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling.

The two continued drinking and chatting, no longer paying attention to Xu Jin and the flood dragon.

In the end, Xu Jin and his flood dragon were taken away by the Nascent Soul sword cultivator, and the people cheered in approval.

—

Over the next few days, Gu An and Ji Xuanyu wandered through the city.

They visited Xiao Chuan’s residence, but only stood on the rooftop and observed without disturbing him.

Xiao Chuan had settled down, with a large family of wives and children. His life seemed quite fulfilled.

After two days in the city, they departed to explore other places.

Since Gu An was focused on seeking herbs, their travels lasted only half a month, which was already quite satisfying for Ji Xuanyu.

With Gu An by her side, she witnessed the many facets of life, and his experiences provided her with insights that benefited her greatly.

—

Time passed quickly.

By the end of summer, Gu An and Yang Jian arrived at Seeker’s Island.

Since Gu An had visited the Divine Anomaly Realm, Seeker’s Island was no longer plagued by the Divine Anomaly Wraiths. Though many still roamed the sea, their numbers had drastically decreased, and most of them now moved alone.

As soon as they entered the city, Gu An and Yang Jian overheard cultivators discussing the ongoing Severed Sea Rift War.

The battle had been raging for over a year now. Even Shen Xinzi, the monk who had once sought to kill You Yingying, had joined the fray, representing the Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect.

“The Divine Anomaly Wraith Kings are truly hard to kill.”

“Yeah, I heard that in the past few years, over a thousand Scattered Immortals have perished in the Severed Sea Rift. Who knows how many lower-level cultivators have died.”

“Death isn’t the scariest part. The real horror is that after they die, they turn into Divine Anomaly Wraiths and come back to attack us.”

“I have no idea how this disaster can be stopped.”

“The Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect can purify the wraiths, but they have too few members. Their strongest monk, Shen Xinzi, was cursed and is now missing—his life or death unknown.”

Hearing Shen Xinzi’s name, Yang Jian turned to look at Gu An.

Gu An transmitted his voice: “Yes, it’s the same monk who visited Medicine Valley.”

Back then, Yang Jian had felt Shen Xinzi was no ordinary monk. He just hadn’t expected him to have such a significant background.

Soon, Hu Xiaojian arrived and respectfully greeted Gu An and Yang Jian before taking them to buy herbs.

“Senior, I heard that Senior Tang Hai and the others went to the Severed Sea Rift and have gone missing…” Hu Xiaojian spoke cautiously.

Gu An remained calm. “Everyone has their fate. Different choices lead to different destinies. Cultivators have long accepted this.”

Hu Xiaojian nodded and sighed, lamenting the power of the Divine Anomaly Wraith Kings.

At present, aside from the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path, no one—human or demon—could suppress a Divine Anomaly Wraith King alone.

The longer the war dragged on, the more it proved how formidable the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path was.

Though he hadn’t joined the war, many believed that the dwindling numbers of wraiths at sea and the retreat of the Wraith Kings into the Severed Sea Rift were all thanks to him.

Gu An remained silent, but Yang Jian and Hu Xiaojian continued their conversation enthusiastically.

—

“By the way, have you two heard about a book called Journey to the West? It’s all the rage on the seas,” Hu Xiaojian suddenly asked.

Yang Jian nodded. “I’ve read it. Why?”

He couldn’t help but marvel—his master was not only a powerful cultivator but also an unparalleled writer. His book had spread so far!

Gu An was also surprised. A quick calculation revealed that the Starsea Sect Alliance played a significant role in its spread. Another key figure helping promote it was none other than Shen Xinzi.

How interesting.

Gu An wasn’t worried about the book causing trouble. At his current level, he had no fear.

Of course, if no one bothered him, that would be even better.

Hu Xiaojian excitedly continued discussing Journey to the West. The book had spread across the seas and was highly praised by various sects.

Some found its depiction of celestial beings fascinating, while others saw reflections of reality within it. There were even those who believed it to be a historical record.

Though Romance of the Gods wasn’t as popular as Journey to the West, many who read one ended up reading the other—including Hu Xiaojian.

As their conversation shifted toward the powerful sects and grandmasters of the sea, Yang Jian grew more curious.

Just how vast was this world?

Two hours later, the master and disciple returned to Taixuan Sect.

As they walked through the forest, Yang Jian became noticeably more talkative.

“Master, between Tian Wuchang and the Divine Anomaly Wraith Kings, who is stronger?” Yang Jian asked curiously.

Hu Xiaojian had mentioned that the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path had appeared within the Starsea Sect Alliance to fend off a Divine Anomaly Wraith King, which had piqued his interest.

However, Hu Xiaojian’s knowledge was limited. He didn’t even know the name of that Wraith King, nor why the Sword Sovereign had acted. He only knew that the event had happened.

Though Yang Jian was no longer haunted by Tian Wuchang, he still felt pressured by its existence. He knew he would have to face it one day.

Gu An casually responded, “I’m not sure. But when you meet it one day, you’ll know.”

“I hope that day comes later rather than sooner.”

“For someone at his level, ‘soon’ could mean hundreds or even thousands of years. Don’t stress over it.”

“You’re right. I won’t slack off.”

Yang Jian was full of determination, but he had another question lingering in his mind.

What was his master’s true cultivation level?

His master called himself a Scattered Immortal, but from what Hu Xiaojian had said, the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path was clearly far beyond that level.

He also wanted to ask about his senior brother’s cultivation realm.

But he didn’t dare.

If his master didn’t mention it, then there had to be a reason.

—

Inside the palace.

An Hao slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a deep breath of turbid air.

A figure suddenly appeared by the pond—it was Chi Jiuxiao.

Chi Jiuxiao scrutinized An Hao and clicked his tongue in amazement. “Ninth Level of the Void Transformation Stage. Impressive, kid. You’re barely over a hundred, and you’ve already reached such a level. That’s terrifying. Though my sect has poured immense resources into you, the fact that you could absorb them so quickly proves your talent is unparalleled.”

An Hao looked at him and replied calmly, “Beyond Void Transformation are the Integration Stage and Profound Mind Realm. Reaching Grand Ascension Stage within five hundred years isn’t that fast.”

Chi Jiuxiao rolled his eyes. “At the rate you’re advancing, reaching Grand Ascension in five hundred years will be easy. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you entered Nirvana Stage before then. Your innate talent is beyond belief.”

By the end of his sentence, his tone carried an unmistakable trace of envy.

An Hao shook his head. “My master took in another disciple and claimed his talent is no less than mine. To be honest, I’m afraid he might catch up to me.”

At the mention of the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path, Chi Jiuxiao immediately sat cross-legged and asked with great curiosity, “Who exactly is your master? Which sect is he from? Don’t tell me he’s from Taixuan Sect. If someone with his cultivation level isn’t from the Holy Court, then he must belong to one of the world’s top sects with immense fortune.”

“I really don’t know,” An Hao replied helplessly.

Even if he did, he wouldn’t say.

Chi Jiuxiao glared at him before taking out a book from his robes and tossing it over. “Here, read Journey to the West. It’s also from Taixuan Sect. This book has taken the seas by storm. I’m tempted to visit Taixuan Sect just because of it.”

Journey to the West?

An Hao glanced at the book in Chi Jiuxiao’s hand.

He had heard of it before. It was written by Pan An of Taixuan Sect.

An Hao knew who Pan An was—his junior sister was one of Pan An’s disciples.

He couldn’t help but recall his first meeting with Gu An.

Back then, they had stood together, watching Lü Baitian regain his former strength and display his overwhelming cultivation.

But Gu An’s talent and cultivation had been mediocre at the time.

And yet, this “mediocre” person had managed to make a name for himself that even spread to the seas.

That was truly impressive.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep