Chapter 635: Gu An Versus the Immortal Lord

"Master, do you think that Tianhong Emperor from Dao Court can compare to Tian Hao?"

Tianqing turned to look at Gu An, asking seriously. She had been arguing with Tianbai, who firmly believed that no one could match Tian Hao.

However, Tianhong Emperor's cultivation speed was no weaker than Tian Hao’s, and his battle record was even more astonishing. He frequently defeated opponents across cultivation realms, sometimes fighting against multiple adversaries at once and emerging victorious. His achievements were unparalleled in history.

With Dao Court actively promoting his reputation, the world had begun to forget about Tian Hao, singing only praises of Tianhong Emperor.

From a purely combat perspective, Tianqing felt that Tianhong Emperor was indeed on par with Tian Hao. Tianbai, on the other hand, seemed to dismiss external geniuses out of sheer instinct.

Gu An replied, "Within the Heavenly Spirit Great World, no one possesses greater talent than Tian Hao. There are still stronger aspects of his destiny that have yet to be revealed."

Hearing this, Tianbai immediately puffed out her chest with pride.

Gu An continued, "But beyond the Heavenly Spirit Great World, the two are indeed evenly matched. And eventually, they will both leave this world to explore even higher realms."

Tianqing’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she shot a triumphant glance at Tianbai.

"Instead of worrying about these things, why not focus on your own cultivation? Your innate talent may be ordinary, but after years of training under me, you are already capable of competing with any prodigy in the world."

Gu An shook his head as he spoke, making the two women look slightly embarrassed.

They had always been lively and playful, making it difficult for them to dedicate themselves to long periods of cultivation.

Gu An was not exaggerating.

Even Tianhong Emperor, despite being a reincarnated celestial, had never had the privilege of being surrounded by the Dao Intent of a Wondrous Truth Grand Luo Immortal at all times.

Tianbai clung to Gu An’s arm, pouting, "With so many disciples in the Dao Field, someone has to be number one. As long as we don’t fall behind, it’s fine."

"Exactly, exactly! Lately, the Blood Prison Saint has been progressing at an astonishing rate. He’s already recognized as the strongest disciple under Wushi. I doubt even Tianhong Emperor is his match."

Tianqing hugged Gu An’s other arm, nodding in agreement. Despite being scolded by their master, she and Tianbai stood firmly on the same side.

Gu An spoke with a calm yet meaningful tone, "In my eyes, you two are not weaker than the Blood Prison Saint either. In some aspects, I even believe you surpass him. Because you have each other—just like the Dao Treasures I refined for you, which were designed to complement one another."

His words made Tianqing and Tianbai’s eyes sparkle, and they immediately began pestering him to elaborate.

Gu An suddenly felt a headache coming on. He had simply meant to encourage them to train harder, yet their excitement had taken a completely different turn.

"Can you two stop clinging to me when you're excited?" he sighed inwardly.

After a while of playful banter, he finally managed to send them off to train.

Shortly after, An Xin appeared before him, responding to his summons with curiosity.

"Master, what is it?"

Ever since their trip to the Ethereal Immortal Court ten thousand years ago, An Xin had withdrawn from all external affairs. She left matters to Tianqing, Tianbai, and the Qiankun Sect, while she devoted herself entirely to secluded cultivation, refining her Immortal Emperor’s Pupil.

Because of this, the Blood Prison Saint had risen as the undisputed strongest disciple of the Dao Field over the past ten thousand years.

Yet, if An Xin were to fight him now, he would be utterly defeated—this was the conclusion of Gu An’s divination.

With the divine abilities of her Immortal Emperor’s Pupil, An Xin’s strength far exceeded that of the Blood Prison Saint.

In the same cultivation realm, Gu An even believed that An Xin’s suppressive power surpassed Tian Hao’s. After visiting the Ethereal Immortal Court, her Immortal Emperor’s Pupil had fully awakened, making its abilities incredibly suited for battle.

Gu An had not seen An Xin in ten thousand years. However, for An Xin, time had no effect on her emotions. At least, her feelings toward Gu An remained unchanged.

"I am about to engage in a battle. Do you want to watch?"

Gu An smiled as he spoke. An Xin’s eyes brightened, and she immediately nodded.

Just as she was about to ask more questions, the surroundings suddenly shifted, and in an instant, they appeared beneath a massive Realm Gate.

Though she had experienced Gu An’s divine abilities before, An Xin was still astonished.

Over these past ten thousand years, she had clearly felt her own improvement, and her confidence had never been higher.

But whenever she stood before her master, she still felt like a frog at the bottom of a well.

An Xin quickly cast aside such thoughts and turned her gaze toward the towering Realm Gate before them.

"What is this?" she asked with curiosity.

She could feel the immense Dao Power radiating from the gate—something she had never encountered before.

As expected, following her master always broadened her horizons.

Gu An did not conceal the truth and began explaining the nature of the Realm Gate.

Upon learning that this was the Heavenly Dao Gate—the only way for living beings to leave the Heavenly Spirit Great World—An Xin became even more intrigued.

But then, a doubt surfaced in her mind.

"Master, when you went to the Ethereal Immortal Court, you didn’t pass through this gate…"

Gu An casually informed An Xin about the impending arrival of Taiyi Immortal Lord. She had previously learned about Tian Hao's karma from Gu An and thus had some understanding of the Immortal Lord’s origins.

Taiyi Immortal Lord was not an ordinary celestial being but an existence superior to Heavenly Gods and Star Lords. The fact that her master was about to battle such an entity filled her with anticipation.

"Will Taiyi Immortal Lord emerge from the Realm Gate?" An Xin asked, her gaze fixed upon the massive gate.

The unactivated Realm Gate appeared dark and enigmatic. Its interior was hollow and transparent, revealing the vast and boundless universe behind it—a magnificent and breathtaking sight.

Gu An reached for the wooden token at his waist, lightly toying with it. "Mhm, you’ll soon witness his divine presence."

Meanwhile.

Within a mysterious dark space, Jindong’s Seventy-Two Immortals appeared one after another. As they opened their eyes, they realized they were unable to move their feet—only their heads. Quickly, they all turned in the same direction, their gazes locking onto a massive screen of light floating in the void ahead. Through it, they could see Gu An, An Xin, and the Realm Gate.

"Where is this place?"

"It seems that bastard has sealed us here. He must want us to see something."

"Listen carefully to their conversation… The Immortal Lord is coming?"

"This wretch is too arrogant! He may be strong, but how dare he challenge the Immortal Lord?"

"Senior Brother, what should we do? We can’t just sit here and wait for doom!"

The Jindong Immortals were in an uproar, cursing Gu An as their frustration mounted. Ultimately, all their eyes turned toward Purple Dragon Star Lord.

Purple Dragon Star Lord remained expressionless. They had all fallen unconscious the moment they were sealed into wooden tokens, making it feel as though they had only just been captured.

But Purple Dragon Star Lord keenly sensed that a significant amount of time had passed in the Heavenly Spirit Great World.

If that were true, then what had Gu An done to them during this time?

Recalling the terrifying method Gu An had used to subdue them, Purple Dragon Star Lord found it difficult to reassure the others. He suspected that Gu An might indeed have the power to resist the Immortal Lord.

After all, he himself was a Supreme Purity Golden Immortal, one who had reached completion in that realm, yet he was helpless before Gu An.

In his eyes, Gu An was undoubtedly a Grand Luo-level existence.

A being of such caliber, yet unaffiliated with the Heavenly Court, was deeply unsettling.

But there was nothing Purple Dragon Star Lord could do now—he could only wait.

In the real world.

Gu An continued conversing with An Xin, deliberately allowing Jindong’s Seventy-Two Immortals’ consciousnesses to remain within his Dao Fruit Universe, forcing them to witness the upcoming battle.

He did this because he had no intention of releasing them.

Celestial beings may not be easy to kill, but they could be sealed. Even if the Heavenly Court eventually found them, it would at least buy Gu An precious time.

To the Heavenly Court, a million years might be nothing more than a fleeting moment. Since they had yet to issue urgent orders for Heavenly Spirit God to destroy the Heavenly Spirit Great World, it was clear that the Heavenly Court’s perception of time far surpassed mortal imagination.

Thus, any celestial being that came to trouble him—he would seal them away.

Letting them go would only bring endless calamity!

Time passed, second by second.

Gu An and An Xin ceased their conversation the moment the Realm Gate trembled.

An Xin turned to face the gate. A radiant divine light burst forth from within, converging at its center.

It was the light of the Heavenly Dao—the very force that enveloped the surface of the Heavenly Spirit Great World.

Feeling the Heavenly Dao’s radiance up close, An Xin could sense the unfathomable power of the Heavenly Court.

What kind of supreme force was capable of creating such a universal order?

As the Realm Gate fully activated, an endless, overwhelming aura surged forth. Vast celestial mist spread outward, shaking the heavens.

Inside the Dao Fruit Universe.

Jindong’s Seventy-Two Immortals erupted in excitement.

"The Immortal Lord is here! He’s come to save us!" a female celestial exclaimed, her face brimming with reverence.

Even though they had heard Gu An and An Xin mention the arrival of Taiyi Immortal Lord, actually witnessing his divine presence filled them with uncontrollable awe and elation.

Some even felt a surge of devotion, ready to sacrifice their lives in service.

Meanwhile.

From within the radiant core of the Realm Gate, a figure slowly emerged.

It was as if he had stepped out from the end of time itself, or perhaps from the very origin of all things.

His indescribable divine presence struck An Xin’s senses like an overwhelming tidal wave.

Her eyes instantly transformed into Immortal Emperor’s Pupil.

Violet Dao markings appeared around her eye sockets. In her pupils, the majestic figure of Taiyi Immortal Lord was clearly reflected.

During the wait, An Xin had repeatedly imagined what kind of presence the Immortal Lord would have.

But when she truly laid eyes upon him, she still felt an inherent sense of inferiority.

It was a difference in the very essence of existence itself.

Whether in terms of cultivation, soul, or perception, An Xin instinctively knew she was not his equal.

A voice, filled with immeasurable power, echoed through the heavens.

"Defier of Heaven’s Will… you dare to stand here and await my arrival?"

"Do you even comprehend what you are about to face?"

Taiyi Immortal Lord’s voice echoed from within the Realm Gate, resonating across the vast cosmic expanse. In an instant, with the gate as the center, the surrounding space burst into a myriad of colorful radiance, making the universe appear bizarre, mesmerizing, and profoundly mysterious.

Hearing Taiyi Immortal Lord’s words, An Xin felt an inexplicable urge to kneel and bow her head.

Her soul trembled—she couldn’t fathom just how profound Taiyi Immortal Lord’s Dao cultivation truly was.

Gu An took a step forward.

Instantly, An Xin’s overwhelming discomfort vanished without a trace. She subconsciously turned to look at Gu An. In her eyes, Gu An’s presence seemed to rise exponentially, even to the point where he could compare to the mighty figure still stepping out of the Realm Gate.

Inside the Dao Fruit Universe.

Jindong’s Seventy-Two Immortals were also watching Gu An’s back.

From their perspective, Taiyi Immortal Lord, walking through the gate, was on the verge of overlapping with Gu An’s figure.

No matter how much they hated Gu An, from this angle, they had to admit—Gu An’s aura was in no way inferior to that of Taiyi Immortal Lord.

"To deceive and manipulate all living beings—is that not also a violation of the Heavenly Dao?"

Gu An’s voice rang out, calm and steady.

Taiyi Immortal Lord continued walking forward at an unhurried pace, yet each step radiated unstoppable force.

Finally, he reached the edge of the Realm Gate.

He was still bathed in the Heavenly Dao’s radiance, but even An Xin could feel that if he took just one more step, he would reveal his true form.

An Xin caught sight of something behind Taiyi Immortal Lord—a floating scroll unfurling like a flowing river.

A golden mark glowed upon his forehead. Though his facial features remained indistinct, this golden pattern resembled a vertical eye, exuding an aura of divine majesty and absolute authority, making him appear even more sacred and inviolable.

"You dare to speak of the Heavenly Dao? Do you even qualify?"

"You schemed against the Heavenly Son—what exactly are you trying to achieve?"

Taiyi Immortal Lord’s voice rang out once more, even more forceful than before.

It was like the wrath of the thunderous heavens, shaking the void, booming with divine fury.

Gu An calmly replied, "I do not know who this 'Heavenly Son' is, nor what he represents. I only know that you sought to capture my disciple. Now that we stand at this crossroads, Immortal Lord, tell me—how do you intend to settle this karma?"

Taiyi Immortal Lord fell silent.

It was clear—he had not expected Gu An to be unaware of Tian Hao’s true origins.

But that no longer mattered.

Gu An had already interfered with his plans. Worse still, he had captured his subordinates.

"Release Jindong’s Seventy-Two Immortals and hand over the Heavenly Son. If you do so, I will let this matter rest. You may continue hiding away in this world to cultivate, and I will pretend I never met you."

Taiyi Immortal Lord’s voice carried absolute certainty, as if this was a decision beyond negotiation.

From his perspective, Gu An was undoubtedly a Grand Luo Immortal of the Heaven-Opening Realm.

With such cultivation, hiding away in Heavenly Spirit Great World could only mean one thing—Gu An bore a karma so immense that he dared not face the Heavenly Court.

And such a man would never dare to challenge the might of the Heavenly Court directly!

But Gu An remained composed.

Though he could not peer into Taiyi Immortal Lord’s lifespan, being blocked by the Heavenly Dao’s radiance, he could clearly sense—Taiyi Immortal Lord was merely at the Heaven-Opening Grand Luo Immortal Realm.

Such a cultivation level was nothing to be afraid of!

Gu An’s voice was steady, unwavering.

"You can only choose one."

"Either the whereabouts of your so-called ‘Heavenly Son’—or the freedom of Jindong’s Seventy-Two Immortals."

"I need at least one of them to hold you at bay—to ensure that you do not immediately seek revenge upon me."

Taiyi Immortal Lord did not sense the presence of Jindong’s Seventy-Two Immortals.

However, he did notice the wooden token hanging from Gu An’s waist.

Yet no matter how he examined it, it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary wooden piece—a mundane object without any trace of Daoist mystery.

But Taiyi Immortal Lord merely sneered at Gu An’s attempt at negotiation.

"A pitiful trick."

"Do you truly believe you can imprison Jindong’s Seventy-Two Immortals?"

"Since you insist on making demands—then prepare to experience the true power of the Celestial Gods!"

Taiyi Immortal Lord let out a cold snort.

Then, he stepped forward.

And in that instant—

A cascade of silver-white hair billowed out from the Heavenly Dao’s radiance.

Then, Taiyi Immortal Lord’s true form emerged.

A silver-threaded celestial band veiled his eyes. His immaculate white Daoist robe, as pure as divine feathers, fluttered like an immortal’s garment.

Behind him, the floating scroll continued to unfurl, revealing an entire world within its pages—a realm of boundless majesty.

An aura surpassing even the Supreme Purity Golden Immortal Realm exploded forth.

In that moment—

The entire Heavenly Spirit Great World felt the laws of the Grand Dao freeze.

Time stopped.

Everything—every plant, every beast, every grain of dust—fell into absolute stillness.

Only the disciples within Wushi Dao Field remained unaffected.

But they remained oblivious to what was unfolding outside their sect.

An Xin, standing behind Gu An, felt the pressure most acutely.

Facing Taiyi Immortal Lord’s presence directly, she couldn’t help but clench her fists.

Even though she had absolute faith in Gu An, she couldn’t shake the feeling that—

If an entity like Taiyi Immortal Lord appeared before even a supreme sect like the Ethereal Immortal Court, it would likely be utterly obliterated.

Taiyi Immortal Lord stood at the threshold of the Realm Gate, his chin slightly lifted.

Even with his eyes veiled, his supreme arrogance was undeniable.

To him, all beneath the heavens were mere ants.

An Xin found herself instinctively disgusted by the sheer arrogance of the celestial gods.

Yet at the same time, she felt that it was only natural.

Taiyi Immortal Lord’s Dao presence itself made her feel as if this was the undeniable truth.

Then, Gu An’s voice rang out once more—cold as ice.

"You do not seem as calm and confident as you appear."

"Have you ever imagined what it would feel like to kneel before mortals?"