The world was in chaos, smoke rising everywhere as if signaling an unstoppable war.
Vast demonic energy surged from all corners of the earth, threatening to engulf the entire land in darkness.
The winter snow was colder than in years past. Wrapped in a straw cloak, Gu An had taken on the identity of the Green Hero once more, roaming the mortal world.
In the mountains, within a crescent-shaped small town, flames flickered amidst the smoke curling skyward. Black crows swirled in the sky, their cries merging with the screams, cries, and roars echoing throughout the town.
Emerging from the forest, Gu An leaped like an eagle from the cliffs and descended toward the town. His gaze swept across the scene below, where countless demons and monsters were ravaging the townsfolk. Some were even eating their victims alive, starting from their legs, a horrific display of cruelty.
It wasn't long before the town fell silent, save for the sound of sobbing.
Walking out of the ruined town, Gu An flicked the demon blood from his sword before sliding the Azure Swan Sword back into its sheath.
Even though he left a scene of misery behind him, he did not look back.
It had been ten days since the Demon Ancestor's resurrection, and battles had already erupted at the northern border of the Great Jiang Dynasty. Currently, Mahayana-level cultivators clashed fiercely there. The borderlands of the Tian Wei Dynasty were also under siege by waves of demonic tides.
While the Tai Cang Dynasty didn't need to defend its borders, the demonic chaos raging within its lands posed a crisis no less severe than in the other two dynasties.
The Demon Emperor had yet to make a move, and the Demon Ancestor remained hidden. Gu An wasn't in a rush. Even if both were killed, the chaos wrought by the demons would persist, and the three human dynasties would face prolonged turmoil.
For Gu An, this was an opportunity—saving lives while amassing lifespan.
Choosing not to use the Infinite Free Step, Gu An opted for sword flight, observing the state of the world along the way. He encountered numerous disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect.
Unconsciously, he noted that within the Tai Cang Dynasty's cultivation world, Tai Xuan Sect disciples accounted for nearly a third of all cultivators. No matter where he went, he ran into them. This underscored the rapid growth of the sect in recent years.
By evening, Gu An finally returned to Xuan Valley.
Sitting at his desk, he pulled out paper and brush to write. Writing helped dispel the killing intent that had built up within him.
Too much slaughter bred bloodlust, and the countless tragic scenes he had witnessed weighed heavily on his heart. Writing became his way of self-regulation.
Although he had reached the Wandering Immortal Realm, his Dao heart had yet to achieve the steadiness of an immortal's.
He was still shaping his Dao heart.
Despite his high cultivation, Gu An had lived for less than a century. A mortal's mindset required time to evolve. True immortals had all weathered millennia of worldly turmoil and transformation.
As the moon set and the sun rose, the following morning brought the sound of bells from the Tai Xuan Sect. It was the call to assemble for inner disciples.
While Gu An technically held the rank of an inner disciple, he was exempt from participating in their affairs and focused solely on cultivating medicinal herbs.
Heading to the Third Medicine Valley, he began harvesting mature herbs.
Suddenly, he sensed an earth-shattering battle taking place far away. The immense pressure from the confrontation, despite being millions of miles away, still reached the Tai Xuan Sect.
One of the combatants was Xuan Tianyi!
Xuan Tianyi was locked in battle with three Grand Demon Kings, all at the Mahayana Realm.
Gu An discerned that two of these demon kings had unstable demonic energy, as if they had only recently broken through.
Was this the work of the Demon Ancestor, or was it another scheme of the Seven Stars Spiritual Realm?
The battle between four Mahayana-level beings was unimaginably grand, their pressure shaking the mortal world. The disciples in the valley were visibly uneasy. Ever since the full outbreak of the demon catastrophe, even those not fighting at the frontlines were often subjected to waves of intimidating energy, leaving them anxious and fearful.
Gu An, however, remained calm and continued harvesting herbs.
Currently, with herbs from Xuan Valley, Eight Views Heavenly Cave, Third Medicine Valley, Tianya Valley, Xuan Tian Cave Mansion, Nian Chu Cave Residence, and Mountain God Temple, Gu An could harvest at least 250,000 years of lifespan annually, with occasional surges of greater gain.
If the demon catastrophe ended without the Seven Stars Spiritual Realm making further moves, Gu An saw no need to act against them proactively.
Time was on his side, and the longer events dragged on, the more advantageous it would be for him.
Once he finished harvesting, Gu An was about to leave when he sensed something unusual. His gaze turned toward the direction of the outer gate city.
After giving Xiao Chun some instructions, he flew toward the city.
Within half an hour, Gu An reached the edge of the Heaven Mending Platform, his eyes fixed on Emperor Xie.
Emperor Xie was meditating under the carved characters for "Righteous Path," cultivating his swordsmanship. Over the years, Gu An could sense a nascent sword intent forming within him.
A demon practicing swordsmanship—was he a Sword Demon?
Gu An pondered silently, shifting his gaze to the other figures atop the Heaven Mending Platform. His divine sense swept across them, using lifespan investigation to discern their essence.
He was waiting for someone—or rather, waiting for a demon to arrive.
After some time, a figure stepped onto the platform, passing directly in front of Gu An.
[Demon Master (Nirvana Realm, Second Level): 30290/90000/170000]
A Nirvana Realm, second-level cultivator.
The Demon Master.
Gu An knew of the Demon Master—a peerless demon second only to the Demon Emperor in the hierarchy of the Demonic Lands. For lesser demons like the Black Crow Demon Envoy, the Demon Master was an unfathomable figure of immense power.
The Demon Master undoubtedly had another name, but the lifespan investigation revealed only their title. It was likely that names displayed by the investigation correlated with public renown. For instance, Li Xuanmiao was listed under her title, "Xuanmiao Zhenren."
Gu An considered this carefully, piecing together the connections.
Most people only knew the name "Xuanmiao Zhenren" and were unaware of her real name, Li Xuanmiao. This was why the lifespan investigation reflected the title "Xuanmiao Zhenren."
The Demon Master took the form of a middle-aged man in plain robes, his demeanor refined, and his appearance handsome. There was no trace of demonic energy about him, and his cultivation seemed to be at the Core Formation stage.
He didn't seem to notice Gu An, likely because there were many cultivators gathered around.
He walked straight toward Emperor Xie, eventually standing behind him without a word. His gaze lingered on the large characters for "Righteous Path."
After a long moment, the Demon Master finally spoke.
"What domineering sword intent. The reputation of the Sword Master of the Dao is truly well-deserved."
Emperor Xie's eyes snapped open, and he turned to look at the man in disbelief. Standing up abruptly, he faced him and asked in a low voice, "Why are you here?"
The cultivators nearby cast only a fleeting glance at the two before returning to their business, uninterested in the exchange.
The Demon Master chuckled softly. "Just to check on you—and to take a look at the Tai Xuan Sect."
Emperor Xie took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.
He was well aware of the Demon Master's power. His father had once said that even the seventy-two Great Demon Kings combined were no match for the Demon Master.
In other words, the Demon Master's cultivation far exceeded the Mahayana Realm!
Even with a mysterious powerhouse like the Sword Master of the Dao guarding the Tai Xuan Sect, a confrontation with the Demon Master could easily result in the sect's destruction.
Having been at the Tai Xuan Sect for so many years, Emperor Xie had grown fond of the place and didn't wish for its early demise.
The Demon Master surveyed the Heaven Mending Platform, smiling. "The Tai Xuan Sect is truly grand. No wonder it hides the Mandate of Heaven."
"Mandate of Heaven? What Mandate of Heaven?" Emperor Xie asked cautiously, wary of anyone overhearing and discovering the Demon Master's true identity.
The Demon Master laughed. "In my calculations, the heavens have shifted. Yet I cannot discern the reason for this change in fate. However, I have noticed that the fate of the human races in the Three Dynasties has shifted most significantly, with the Tai Xuan Sect undergoing the greatest transformation."
Emperor Xie lowered his voice. "Why have you come? What is your purpose?"
The Demon Master's smile turned sinister and cold.
Neither of them noticed when a figure quietly left the Heaven Mending Platform.
Gu An had slipped into a secluded alley before reappearing within the Xuan Tian Cave Mansion in the Northern Sea Mountains.
Standing beneath the Clear Mind Tree, Gu An gripped the Heaven-Sundering Axe embedded in the ground, pulling it free. With a swift movement, he appeared atop a distant mountain.
He raised the Heaven-Sundering Axe and aimed it toward the Heaven Mending Platform of the Tai Xuan Sect.
This axe, left idle in the Xuan Tian Cave Mansion, was wasted potential. It was better to leave behind a legacy for the Tai Xuan Sect.
After locking onto his target, he casually tossed the axe. Despite the apparent ease of the motion, the Heaven-Sundering Axe erupted with immense power the moment it left his hand. Space visibly warped, creating a stunning visual impact. A gale blasted through the surrounding forests, and even the clouds scattered in an instant.
The winds ruffled Gu An's black hair, and he smiled faintly, his divine sense following the trajectory of the Heaven-Sundering Axe.
On the Heaven Mending Platform.
As Emperor Xie questioned him, the Demon Master spread his hands and chuckled. "What purpose could I have? I merely—"
Suddenly!
The Demon Master's expression changed dramatically. Instinctively, he tried to evade, but he was a moment too late.
Boom!
A deafening crash echoed as the Heaven-Sundering Axe descended from the sky, striking the Demon Master squarely. Blood and flesh splattered in all directions, drenching Emperor Xie in an instant.
Emperor Xie stood frozen, his eyes wide in shock and disbelief.
The surrounding cultivators were also covered in blood, the shockwave hurling everyone except Emperor Xie off their feet.
The Heaven Mending Platform shuddered violently, sending tremors through everyone. Instinctively, they turned to look.
When their gazes fell on the scene, they were horrified. A massive black axe was embedded in the platform, its blade buried in what could only be described as a bloody pulp. Wisps of energy swirled around the blade like flames.
Beneath the axe's edge, the remains of the Demon Master's body dissolved into a pool of blood. Tendrils of demonic energy seeped out, gradually revealing a skeleton. It was impossible to discern its race, but it was certainly not human.
Emperor Xie remained rooted to the spot, paralyzed with fear, his mind blank.
One by one, figures began to appear out of thin air. Among them was Xuanquan Ancestor.
Xuanquan Ancestor's face darkened as he examined the scene. "This was a demon—a demon whose cultivation exceeded the Profound Heart Realm!"
His words sent shockwaves through the gathered crowd.
"A demon this powerful infiltrated the Tai Xuan Sect?"
"My heavens! I even glanced at him earlier and thought his talk of 'Mandate of Heaven' was strange. I never imagined he was a demon…"
"Where did this axe come from?"
"Do we have anyone in the Tai Xuan Sect who uses axes?"
"Wait, feel the sword intent lingering on the axe—it belongs to the Sword Master of the Dao!"
When someone identified the residual sword intent on the Heaven-Sundering Axe, the crowd's fear dissipated, replaced by awe and excitement.
The Sword Master of the Dao was protecting them, even from the shadows.
"Sword Master of the Dao…"
Emperor Xie stared blankly at the Heaven-Sundering Axe. The sight of the Demon Master's mangled corpse filled him with dread.
If the Sword Master of the Dao could see through the Demon Master's disguise, he could undoubtedly see Emperor Xie's true form as well.
Why hadn't the Sword Master of the Dao killed him?
Was it because he hadn't caused trouble?
At that moment, Emperor Xie's respect and fear of the Sword Master of the Dao reached unparalleled heights.
He was certain that the Sword Master of the Dao was far more powerful than his father.
Killing the Demon Master in a single strike without even appearing—his father could never accomplish such a feat.
Xuanquan Ancestor stepped forward and gripped the axe's handle, attempting to lift it. His expression darkened further as he exerted his strength, causing the Heaven Mending Platform to quake.
Under the crowd's watchful eyes, the Heaven-Sundering Axe remained firmly planted, immovable like a mountain.
The crowd's attention turned to Xuanquan Ancestor, whose face grew increasingly solemn.