Chapter 307: Ten Thousand Years Summit |
When Yang Jian saw Lu Xianyi’s expression, he could tell the man had heard of Journey to the West but hadn’t actually read it. Judging from his temperament, he was probably from overseas.
Without hesitation, he pulled a book from his robes and handed it to Lu Xianyi.
“This is my favorite book. The most extraordinary work across the ages. I’m giving it to you, senior.”
Hearing that, Lu Xianyi quickly reached out to receive it, even cupping his hands in a respectful salute—which instantly made Yang Jian wary.
What’s going on?
Had this guy sensed his concealed cultivation?
Noticing Yang Jian’s wary gaze, Lu Xianyi said, “Thanks. I’ll go read it now—nothing better to do anyway.”
With that, he turned and walked off.
Yang Jian watched him disappear into the distance, then shrugged and went back to pulling weeds.
Gu An looked at the book on the table, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
The newest Adventures of the Green Hero!
Xuantian Yi truly lived up to being his idol. Things had been chaotic these past few years, yet this kid still managed to write a new book.
And considering that Adventures of the Green Hero was based on real experiences and focused heavily on romance, it was clear the guy had gotten himself tangled in more affairs lately.
Gu An took a deep breath and picked up the book with both hands.
The moon outside the window was full. The valley buzzed with insects. In that atmosphere, Gu An was more than ready to enjoy his reading.
And he wasn’t the only one in the valley doing so—Lu Xianyi, who was staying in the guest room, held Journey to the West in one hand, brows furrowed, while the other hand moved in silent calculations.
…
Seven days later.
Gu An rode the Blood Prison Great Saint to Horizon Valley to gather herbs. The valley was quiet, with only Luo Hun, Lü Xian, and three monkey demons around—Yi Liuyun, Ji Ruolai, and Li Lingtian hadn’t returned.
Up above, Lu Xianyi hovered in the clouds, peering down at Horizon Valley, brows tightly furrowed.
As he listened to Gu An’s conversation with Luo Hun, he finally let down his guard.
So this kid was growing herbs for the Taixuan Sect and working like a mule for the Empire? No way he had a powerful background. It was exactly because he didn’t have one that he was so low-key.
Lu Xianyi turned to leave, planning to take a look around Taixuan Sect. Word was that Romance of the Gods was somehow linked with Journey to the West. He wanted to see for himself what kind of story Romance of the Gods was telling.
Meanwhile, Gu An smirked as he pulled weeds.
Beside him, Luo Hun continued, “So, have you given it any more thought?”
“Nah,” Gu An replied. “I really don’t want to leave the Taixuan Sect. Please thank His Majesty and the Crown Prince for their kind offer, but I’m not going to the capital.”
Luo Hun smiled. “The Crown Prince hasn’t stopped talking about beating Yang Jian. He’s been training hard for years now. Rumor is, he’s even got a grandmaster cultivator from the ocean coaching him. You’d better let Yang Jian know to be ready.”
Gu An nodded. “Got it. Old Luo, you’re really getting up there, huh?”
“Getting old? What makes you say that?”
“You’ve become so chatty. Back when you used to borrow Adventures of the Green Hero from me, you hardly said a word.”
“Oh, you have the nerve to bring that up? Adventures of the Green Hero hasn’t had a new volume in forever, and I asked you to find The Secrets of Taixuan for me—still nothing.”
“Read more Journey to the West. Good for the soul.”
As they picked herbs, Gu An and Luo Hun bantered playfully.
Time marched on.
Autumn gave way to winter, and snow began to fall across the land.
One day, while Gu An was reading in the Eight Views Celestial Realm, he suddenly sensed something. He quickly took out a piece of blue jade—it was the Mortal Jade from Mortal Peak, a symbol of the Peak Master and also a magical artifact.
He sent his divine sense into it and soon learned that the Millennia Summit was about to begin.
After a moment’s thought, he stood up and vanished from the spot.
The Mortal Jade provided a directional guide, but Gu An didn’t need it—he’d already located Mortal Peak long ago.
Mortal Peak was extremely far from the Taixuan Sect, situated above a mist-shrouded ocean. There were no islands or continents here—only towering peaks that jutted straight up from the sea floor and pierced the clouds.
Gu An appeared at the edge of Mortal Peak and then rode the clouds forward.
Before long, he began to see cultivators—more and more of them—all heading in the same direction.
He didn’t rush, flying at a moderate pace while enjoying the scenery along the way.
He was already considering whether, as a future Peak Master, he should grow medicinal herbs on his mountain.
Once he took that role, he couldn’t keep personally picking herbs all the time—it would be way too suspicious. After all, here he’d be seen as a Celestial Ascension cultivator.
“Fellow Daoist, please wait!”
A voice called out from behind, and Gu An stopped to turn around.
Two cultivators were flying toward him on swords—one man and one woman, both at the Nirvana Stage.
Gu An used his Lifespan Perception. The man was named Xu Ruohai, and the woman Xu Xi. Their maximum lifespans weren’t exceptional, but they weren’t average either.
When the two arrived in front of him, Xu Ruohai raised a hand in greeting. “I’m Xu Ruohai, and this is my sister, Xu Xi. May I ask your name, fellow Daoist?”
Gu An returned the gesture. “I’m Meng Lang. What can I do for you two?”
Xu Ruohai smiled. “Are you on your way to seek entry into Mortal Peak? My sister and I are too. How about we travel together?”
He couldn’t see through Gu An’s cultivation level, but Gu An didn’t give off any dangerous vibes. Plus, from the way he was flying—slow and looking around—it was obvious this was his first time here.
Behind him, Xu Xi glanced at Gu An, and when Gu An looked back at her, she quickly averted her eyes, a faint blush rising to her ears.
Interesting. Over eight thousand years old and still gets shy?
Gu An found it amusing, then nodded.
Xu Ruohai grew even more enthusiastic. The three of them flew and chatted along the way.
Gu An asked them about Mortal Peak, which only reinforced Xu Ruohai’s assumption that this was his first visit.
Xu Xi didn’t talk much—most of the conversation came from Xu Ruohai, with her occasionally chiming in to fill the gaps.
Through the siblings, Gu An gained a much clearer understanding of Mortal Peak.
At the same time, he thought about the brother-sister pair Xiao Shengtian had met at the end of his life. Remembering their adventures filled him with a tinge of regret, and warmed him slightly toward Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi.
Half an hour later—
The three of them passed through a dense fog, and their eyes landed on a massive mountain ahead. It was far larger than any of the peaks they’d seen along the way. The mountain’s base spanned at least a thousand miles, soaring so high that the summit couldn’t be seen.
Its surface was covered in lush forest, teeming with life. Cultivators were flying toward it from every direction.
The air grew noisier here, with distant howls of spirit beasts and mount cries echoing through the sky.
Xu Ruohai looked up and sighed, “No wonder it’s Mortal Peak—one of the oldest sects in the world. I’ve wanted to join since I was a kid. I just hope I make it.”
Gu An chuckled. “With your cultivation, you’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
Xu Ruohai smiled bitterly. “Brother Meng, you may not know this, but Mortal Peak cares a lot about—”
“Hahaha! Meng Daoist! You’re finally here!”
A bold, booming laugh interrupted him.
Gu An didn’t need to look up to know it was Bai Ziyao. Earlier, he’d deliberately leaked a sliver of Celestial Ascension aura—Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi couldn’t sense it, but Bai Ziyao had been waiting and spotted it instantly.
Bai Ziyao descended from the sky, grabbed Gu An by the arm, and tugged him upward.
“If you were any later, your Peak Master position would’ve been taken!” Bai Ziyao snorted.
Gu An quickly said, “I want to bring them along.”
Bai Ziyao glanced at Xu Ruohai and Xu Xi and gave a slight nod.
The siblings, meanwhile, were frozen in place.
Peak Master position?
Did they just hear that right?