Chapter 647: Five Trillion Years of Lifespan!

"Senior, do you recognize the ones fighting outside?"

Ji Xiaoyu noticed the change in Yuan Songzi's expression and couldn't help but ask.

Although she appeared calm on the surface, she felt a deep sense of dread. Even from afar, just sensing the aura of those two battling figures made her feel like she would be reduced to ashes.

On the Path of the Grand Dao, only those supremely confident dared to battle so recklessly. This place was filled with hidden dangers—drawing too much attention was only inviting trouble.

The reason she had chosen to collaborate with Dao Court was precisely to have their assistance in setting up protective barriers, ensuring that the fluctuations from her fights with other prodigies wouldn't leak out.

Yuan Songzi took a deep breath and said, "One of them is from Ascended Yellow Heaven, named Zhou Jie. This man has killed countless beings and proves his Dao through slaughter. If he detects our presence, we're all dead."

The moment those words fell, everyone present felt a deep chill in their hearts, panic rising in their eyes. Even Xiao Lan could no longer maintain her composure.

Ji Xiaoyu’s brows furrowed tightly. She knew of Ascended Yellow Heaven—it was an incredibly terrifying Dao lineage, one that even had connections to reincarnation itself.

"However, Zhou Jie's opponent is also extremely powerful. Perhaps they will leave soon. There’s no need to panic. Besides, the formations protecting this monastery are quite intricate." Yuan Songzi continued, his words easing the tension in the room slightly.

Even so, no one dared to be careless.

Xiao Lan glanced around at everyone, feeling a wave of emotions rise within her.

These senior figures, who once held supreme authority in Heavenly Spirit Great World, who could decide the fate of countless beings with a mere thought, now seemed as insignificant as specks of dust. On the Path of the Grand Dao, they had to tread carefully, constantly wary of unseen dangers.

The entire hall fell into silence. No one dared to speak, as if even the slightest sound might draw the attention of the terrifying entities outside.

However, the overwhelming battle pressure from outside grew stronger, steadily approaching them. It felt as if the two combatants were moving toward their location.

Even Yuan Songzi, who had remained calm earlier, was now sweating slightly.

Suddenly.

The intense battle aura shifted, surging toward the distant void. In mere moments, it vanished.

Yet, this sudden disappearance of pressure only made everyone even more uneasy.

Time passed.

For over half an hour, the group remained motionless, only slowly relaxing after convincing themselves that the two powerhouses had truly departed.

Now gathered around Yuan Songzi, they began questioning him about Ascended Yellow Heaven’s origins.

Ji Xiaoyu cast a glance at Xiao Lan, her gaze unreadable, as if she was contemplating something.

…

Time flew by like an arrow.

As the strange force continued its invasion of Heavenly Spirit Great World, more and more living beings became violent and aggressive, leading to an increase in conflicts.

The mortal world, once serene, was now filled with endless strife.

Yet, Gu An remained unaffected, continuing to enjoy his peaceful life.

Of course, he still kept an eye on old acquaintances, including those wandering the Path of the Grand Dao. Whenever they faced mortal danger, he would secretly intervene, making it seem like they had simply encountered a stroke of good fortune.

Year after year passed swiftly.

After ten thousand years, the mortal world had completely shed its facade of peace. Battles erupted everywhere. Even Qian Kun Sect was embroiled in wars with surrounding factions.

The boundless sky, once pristine, now bore the scars of conflict, with torn clouds drifting across the heavens.

And still, Gu An did nothing to change it all.

Another ten thousand years passed.

It was late summer, just past noon.

Gu An strolled through a dense forest, his expression as calm as ever.

As he walked, he summoned his status panel to inspect his details.

【Name: Gu An】

【Lifespan: 161,845 / 5,048,752,108,241】

【Physique: Hunyuan Reincarnation Immortal Body】

【Cultivation: Wondrous Truth Grand Luo Immortal Realm – Perfection】

…

Gu An hesitated, unsure whether he should break through.

The last time he advanced, it had consumed 1.8 trillion years of his lifespan. He wasn’t certain if five trillion years would be enough to reach perfection in the next great realm.

As he pondered, his steps remained calm and unhurried, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll. A gentle breeze rustled his robes as he moved through the forest.

Looking up, the sky, visible through the gaps in the leaves, appeared dim and overcast. Although it was just past noon, it looked more like dusk.

After walking for some time, Gu An stopped.

He stood by a small river. Across the river, a lone figure was kneeling.

It was Tianhong Emperor.

Tianhong Emperor had been kneeling there for over fifty thousand years. Despite the passage of time, his presence showed no signs of decay. His long beard had grown so long that it now touched the ground, yet his face was clean and composed. If not for his knees having long since sunk deep into the mud, no one would have believed he had remained in this position for so many years.

Even without actively cultivating, he had broken through to the Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm, purely through comprehension of the Dao.

What was truly remarkable was that his breakthrough had been completely silent—no tribulation, no celestial phenomenon, not even the slightest disturbance.

Gu An’s voice drifted into Tianhong Emperor’s ears, “After kneeling for so many years, what is your greatest realization?”

Tianhong Emperor’s eyes snapped open.

When he saw Gu An, he was momentarily dazed.

Though he had never met Gu An before, the moment he laid eyes on him, an inexplicable certainty arose in his heart—this man was the Sword Master of the Dao.

In Tianhong Emperor’s eyes, Gu An’s appearance was flawless. His aura wasn’t overwhelming, yet it carried a vastness that seemed to encompass all things.

He had believed his Dao heart had been tempered through countless tribulations, that nothing could shake him anymore.

Yet now, standing before Gu An, he found himself trembling uncontrollably, his emotions surging so violently that he was momentarily speechless.

Seeing this, Gu An smiled. His smile was warm and gentle, like a spring breeze that seeped into Tianhong Emperor’s heart, melting away his nervousness and excitement.

Tianhong Emperor took a deep breath, forcibly steadying himself. Then, with great caution, he replied, “My greatest realization is that the strongest Dao is not found within any sect—it is everywhere, existing throughout heaven and earth.”

“Perhaps the name Wushi was meant as a guide for all living beings?”

As soon as he said this, Tianhong Emperor’s heart leaped to his throat. He feared that he had spoken out of turn, that he had offended the Sword Master of the Dao.

The longer he had knelt, the greater his reverence for Gu An grew, for he could feel that it was Gu An who had been guiding him in his Dao comprehension.

Gu An chuckled. “Perhaps. Different people have different interpretations. Do you wish to become my disciple?”

Tianhong Emperor’s eyes widened, his voice trembling with excitement. “Sword Master, I do! I earnestly wish to! Will you accept me?”

Gu An raised his right hand.

A sword flew from his palm, rapidly expanding in size. The tip pointed skyward, floating before him. The sword was exquisite and resplendent, gleaming with a soft silver radiance. Within its depths, countless stars seemed to shimmer.

“This is a Wushi Dao Treasure, named Longevity Sword. I will lend it to you. Go forth and save this mortal world. When you have become its savior, return this sword to me. At that time, you may decide whether or not you still wish to be my disciple.”

As Gu An spoke, the Longevity Sword drifted toward Tianhong Emperor.

Tianhong Emperor could feel the immense Dao intent radiating from the sword, but he was not tempted by it. Instead, he looked directly at Gu An, his voice urgent.

“I don’t need to wait! I have already made my decision! I wish to be your disciple now!”

Gu An’s gaze grew profound.

“When you hold the greatest renown, when you wield the greatest power, when you have fully understood your own fate, then you may make your final decision. Do not rush. If you still wish to be my disciple then, I will accept you.”

Hearing this, Tianhong Emperor slowly calmed down.

“…Understood.”

“Go now.”

With those words, Gu An gestured toward him.

Tianhong Emperor rose to his feet, grasping the Longevity Sword.

In an instant, a torrent of knowledge flooded into his mind, rendering him temporarily motionless.

Gu An simply stepped across the river, brushing past him.

“I should go and break through.”

As he walked away, Gu An mused to himself.

For the first time in a long while, anticipation stirred within his heart.

What realm lay beyond Wondrous Truth Grand Luo Immortal?