Chapter 670: Replacing the Old

The Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds will be destroyed?

Gu An was taken aback by these words. In his understanding, although the Immortal Gods were domineering and regarded the common people as insignificant, they still adhered to the so-called Heavenly Laws. Even if they were to destroy the heavens and the earth, they would need a justifiable reason.

The Heavenly Court undoubtedly possessed the power to wipe out the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds in one fell swoop. But if they really did so, wouldn’t that be a blatant violation of the Heavenly Laws?

Gu An suddenly realized that Heavenly Laws were flexible—when it came to the supreme rulers, they were nothing more than a tool to be bent at will.

“What do you think we should do?” Heavenly Spirit God looked at Gu An with a serious expression.

The Heavenly Gods who guarded the Great Thousand Worlds were already taking action, searching for ways out. To them, the Great Thousand Worlds represented their divine authority. If the Great Thousand Worlds ceased to exist, their status would also be shaken, and their cultivation might suffer backlash.

Just as the Heavenly Gods saw mortals as mere ants, the supreme rulers of the Heavenly Court viewed the Heavenly Gods the same way.

Gu An halted his steps and gazed at a few spirit beasts crouching near a street vendor. Then, he replied, “Let things take their course. Before the event unfolds, the only thing you can do is cultivate diligently.”

Heavenly Spirit God fell silent.

He thought of Gu An’s unfathomable cultivation, and it gave him some reassurance. Perhaps when the chaos of the struggle for the Heavenly Emperor’s throne reached the Heavenly Spirit Great World, the situation wouldn’t be as desperate as it seemed now.

Afterward, he continued recounting his experiences from a recent journey, and Gu An listened attentively. Their conversation remained private, unheard by the bustling crowd on the street.

After spending half a day exploring the Qiankun Sect, Heavenly Spirit God returned to the world gate.

Meanwhile, Gu An continued wandering through the city.

Due to twenty prodigious talents from the Unrivaled Imperial Clan joining, the Qiankun Sect was experiencing unprecedented growth. It had entered a period of rapid expansion, and its first genius, Yuan Luo, continued to spread its reputation throughout the world, attracting more disciples.

By dusk, Gu An was standing in a bustling street, holding a wine gourd. He took slow sips of liquor while observing the commotion ahead.

Many sect disciples had gathered, watching a heated dispute. Two young male disciples stood at the center of the scene—one had once been a prodigy, but after suffering a crippling injury during his training outside the sect, he was now being humiliated by the other.

The humiliating disciple was the descendant of a sect elder, and because of his status, no one dared to intervene.

Gu An had no intention of getting involved. He simply watched, feeling a moment of sentimentality.

To the disciples of the Qiankun Sect, their sect was their entire world—the martial rivers and lakes. But to the common people, the world was vast beyond imagination.

Yet, in the eyes of some supreme existences, even the Great Thousand Worlds were nothing more than specks of dust.

Gu An pondered—what kind of path was he carving for himself? What kind of laws would govern the world he envisioned?

Perhaps he would find his true purpose within the worldly red dust because he himself had risen from the lowest depths.

In a secluded valley, a black-clad woman stood atop a lake’s surface. She wielded a long sword, its blade horizontally aligned before her, and her eyes were tightly shut.

This was Zhu Xi.

On the shore, Gu An lay lazily on the grass, holding the Seven Stars Mirror. Through its surface, he observed the mortal world of the Taiwei Great World.

The Crown Prince of the Divine Court had merely been a symbolic case. There were countless others who resisted the Divine Court and its Immortal God overlord. The Crown Prince himself had been persuaded to oppose them, but those rebels had already begun forming an underground resistance.

However, their strength paled in comparison to the Divine Court, forcing them to remain hidden in the shadows.

Whenever mortals were forcibly taken to become divine followers, these rebels emerged. They recruited the families of the abducted, stirring their hatred against the Divine Court.

Yet…

Gu An's gaze deepened as he observed a shocking revelation—the leader of the resistance was secretly kneeling before the Divine Court’s ruler.

Everything had been a carefully planned scheme all along.

The Divine Court had established an overwhelming control over the Taiwei Great World, making it nearly impossible for this Great Thousand World to overthrow their rule.

However, as Gu An guided Zhu Xi in her cultivation, he began to see a new possibility emerge.

If Zhu Xi could stand in direct opposition to the Divine Court, and if she could eliminate that Immortal God, then she could replace the Divine Court itself.

Boom!

A vast surge of sword intent erupted from the surface of the lake, sending out a violent gale that caused the grass and flowers along the shore to ripple like waves.

Gu An slowly sat up, tucking the Seven Stars Mirror into his robe. His gaze shifted toward Zhu Xi, who stood on the lake.

She still held her sword, its sword intent materializing into a field of silver stars, each floating above the lake’s surface. The scene was both beautiful and surreal. Her robes billowed, her long hair danced in the wind, and an ethereal transcendence surrounded her.

"She’s finally stepped into the Dao. Her speed is truly worthy of a Saint’s talent."

Gu An thought to himself. Zhu Xi's past life had been a Saint, unmatched in the world, a peerless genius of a Great Thousand World.

The sword intent she now wielded was none other than the Sacred Heart Sword Dao.

This was a sword Dao created by his reincarnation, Yang Xian, and was connected to the River of Sword Dao. It didn’t require him to expend his lifespan to evolve—it grew stronger on its own.

Beyond merely grasping the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, Gu An had also used Dao intent over the years to help Zhu Xi cultivate. She had developed her own insights and unique interpretations, potentially creating a new form of the Sacred Heart Sword Dao.

Zhu Xi’s eyes suddenly snapped open, sharp like two beams of sword light bursting forth. She slowly lifted her head.

Even from an incomprehensible distance, she could sense the Sacred Heart Sword Dao guiding her, as if an unseen force was drawing her toward it. This sensation was mysterious—as if she could even borrow its power.

She turned her gaze toward Gu An, who stood in the distance. In an instant, her figure blurred and reappeared before him, bowing deeply.

"Senior, I have barely managed to step into the Dao," she said with deep respect.

Gu An stood up, his expression carrying a smile. "Since that’s the case, it’s time for us to part ways. Do you want to stay in the Taiwei Great World, or would you rather leave? I can help you one more time."

Zhu Xi was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected Gu An to leave today. Though she felt reluctant to part, she knew she couldn’t ask him to stay.

"I want to stay," she answered firmly.

Gu An's gaze turned serious. "Are you sure? After this, I won’t be here to help you. This Great Thousand World is brewing a catastrophic calamity. Even if you cultivate for millions of years, it may be impossible to change its fate."

Zhu Xi took a deep breath. "I have already made up my mind. The spiritual energy and Grand Dao of this Great Thousand World are stronger than any I’ve visited before. Additionally, its ruling forces are in conflict, giving me a chance to grow. I want to stay. Maybe I can even achieve something great here."

Gu An smiled, saying nothing more. He turned around and walked away.

Zhu Xi watched his retreating figure, then suddenly dropped to her knees.

Gritting her teeth, she said, "Thank you, Master, for your kindness. I have yet to repay you. One day, I will stand before you with pride, so that you may be proud of me."

Gu An did not pause, and in the next instant, his figure vanished.

Zhu Xi could no longer sense a single trace of his presence.

A hollow feeling settled in her heart.

After so many years together, she had finally recognized that this reckless and carefree man was none other than her Master from the Heavenly Spirit Great World—Gu An, known as the Sword Maste of the Dao.

But she could not tell whether he had come here specifically for her, or if he had merely passed through this world by chance.

If it was the latter, then it only proved one thing—this Great Thousand World was far from ordinary.

"Immortal Gods…"

Zhu Xi’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of ambition flashing in her eyes.

Her presence suddenly shifted, becoming heavier, carrying an unshakable authority.