Under the guidance of True Person Su, Gu An and Xiao Lan successfully entered Dao Court, officially becoming disciples. However, Xiao Lan was accepted as True Person Su's direct disciple, granting her far greater status and privileges than Gu An.
Xiao Lan's first cave residence was vast, comparable to The Third Medicine Valley, making Gu An marvel at the depth of Dao Court's foundation.
After all, while Xiao Lan's talent was exceptional, her cultivation level was still relatively low. There were more than a million disciples with even higher-ranked cave residences than hers.
Once she settled in, Xiao Lan's little schemes became apparent, but Gu An firmly reprimanded her, urging her to focus on cultivation, reminding her that longevity was the true path. Feeling ashamed, she finally put aside those unnecessary distractions and began training seriously.
Since he was staying there, Gu An didn't idle away. He helped Xiao Lan plant spiritual herbs and manage the cave residence so she could cultivate in peace.
By the time the entire cave was filled with medicinal plants and maintained in perfect order, True Person Su came to visit and was quite pleased with Gu An's efforts.
She suddenly felt that Gu An had many merits after all—perhaps his presence was a positive influence on Xiao Lan. At the very least, Xiao Lan was now wholeheartedly focused on her cultivation.
"You've done well. Keep supporting her. She will be your greatest opportunity on the path of immortality."
After leaving those words, True Person Su departed, leaving Gu An feeling as though he was back to his old ways again.
Shaking his head with a smile, he didn't mind. Helping Xiao Lan was something he did willingly, and besides, it allowed him to continue seizing lifespan.
Cultivating the Innate Reincarnation Technique, Xiao Lan was highly susceptible to recalling past-life memories when stimulated. However, having led a smooth life so far, she showed no signs of regaining her past memories yet.
But Gu An wasn't in a hurry. The longer she lived in this lifetime, the deeper her comprehension of the Grand Dao would become.
Of course, Gu An wouldn't just stay in the cave residence with her all the time. Occasionally, he would switch his clone, allowing his true body to handle other matters.
Cultivation was a long journey, and the higher one's realm, the longer the time needed for seclusion.
In the blink of an eye, a thousand years passed.
By then, Gu An's yearly lifespan gains had increased to forty million years.
Over this millennium, Xiao Lan had advanced to the Nirvana Realm and was rapidly progressing toward the Loose Immortal Realm.
During this period, she returned to Xiao Manor twice, helping it transform into a cultivation family. However, due to his naturally short lifespan, the head of Xiao Manor eventually passed away a few years prior.
That day, True Person Su sent a message to Xiao Lan, prompting her to find Gu An and bring him along as they left the cave.
"Dao Court has over ten thousand branches, and the competition among them is fierce. Soon, there will be a Dao Comprehension Assembly, where disciples from other sects will also participate. Master wants us to visit Dao City to broaden our horizons."
As Xiao Lan controlled the clouds, she smiled and explained to Gu An.
Despite having reached the Nirvana Realm, her lively personality remained unchanged. Though she was already a thousand years old, most of that time was spent in secluded cultivation, making it feel as if she had only lived for a single year, leaving her with few significant memories.
"That does sound interesting," Gu An replied with a chuckle.
His gaze had already penetrated into Dao City ahead. Coincidentally, his descendant, Long Teng, was also there, currently engaged in a duel with another cultivator.
In a series of battles within the same realm, Long Teng had already won ninety-seven consecutive matches, all against the top talents of various sects, making his name well-known across the city.
Apart from Long Teng, another familiar figure was present—Wu Jue.
Gu An had always kept an eye on this brother, who had a habit of gaining insights into the Dao whenever he was heartbroken.
Long ago, Wu Jue had ventured out alone, enduring countless trials and hardships. These experiences led him to comprehend profound truths repeatedly, which was why he never returned to Tai Xuan Sect.
Unaware of each other's identities, Long Teng and Wu Jue had never crossed paths before. At this moment, Wu Jue was standing amidst the crowd, watching Long Teng's battles with admiration.
Dao City was vast, and Gu An had no concerns about encountering Wu Jue. As long as he didn't wish to meet him, there was no way Wu Jue could find him.
For now, Gu An only wanted to accompany Xiao Lan and help her grow.
Throughout the journey, Xiao Lan kept talking non-stop. After discussing Dao City, she excitedly shared her recent cultivation progress and even insisted on teaching Gu An some of her techniques.
Though they had the same master, their inheritances were vastly different.
Laughing and chatting along the way, the two spent the time pleasantly. After about an incense stick's worth of time, they finally arrived at Dao City.
Now, Gu An was ready to relax and enjoy exploring the city with Xiao Lan.
For her part, Xiao Lan also cherished this rare moment of leisure. She clung to Gu An's arm tightly, refusing to let go, making onlookers assume they were Dao companions.
Inside Wushi Dao Field, within Gu An's courtyard.
Tian Yao'er approached Shen Zhen, watching as she controlled the Taiqing True Fire beneath the refining cauldron. After observing for a while, she finally spoke, "Shen girl, don't you think our master's mind is always elsewhere?"
Without looking up, Shen Zhen replied, "Of course. He's probably being swayed by some woman."
In Wushi Dao Field, Gu An had no need to leave behind clones for disguise. As a result, everyone could tell that he had been frequently leaving the Dao Field.
Hearing this, Tian Yao'er widened her eyes in surprise and asked, "If that's the case, aren't you worried?"
"Worried about what? We've followed him for an eternity, isn't that enough? Do we really need to control him? Even if we had the power, why should we?" Shen Zhen responded nonchalantly, her focus remaining on the Taiqing True Fire.
Tian Yao'er pouted. "Of course, I wouldn't dare control our master. I'm just curious."
With a faint smile, Shen Zhen said, "It's probably an old acquaintance reborn. Otherwise, he wouldn't be spending so much time accompanying her."
"An old acquaintance?"
Tian Yao'er suddenly became interested. "Which one?"
Glancing at her, Shen Zhen chuckled playfully. "If there's anyone who could make him act like this, there are only two possibilities. One is the Third Young Miss of the Ji Family, and the other is his junior sister. I'd say there's an eighty to ninety percent chance it's his junior sister."
She then began recounting the story of Gu An and Ye Lan.
Tian Yao'er listened intently.
Their story was plain, yet as Tian Yao'er listened, she felt a certain warmth.
She had heard countless tragic and heart-wrenching love stories, but this one…
After hearing it, she suddenly felt that Ye Lan might be the one Gu An had truly cherished the most.
Their master was incredibly powerful, invincible across the world, yet he chose to retreat into seclusion. That alone spoke volumes about his character.
Suddenly—
"Talking about me behind my back?"
Gu An's voice interrupted their conversation.
Startled, the two women turned their heads, only to see Gu An standing behind them.
Tian Yao'er's face flushed with embarrassment, but Shen Zhen remained unbothered.
Walking past them, Gu An arrived at the refining cauldron, sending his divine sense inside.
Inside the cauldron, a Dao Treasure was nearing completion—it was something he had specially crafted for Xiao Lan.
Having reached the Heaven-Opening Grand Luo Immortal Realm, Gu An could now refine treasures at an unprecedented speed, and their power had also reached a whole new level. He planned to give Xiao Lan a great gift, one that would make her path to becoming a peerless genius smoother.
Curious, Tian Yao'er leaned closer and asked, "Master, is it true? Has Ye Lan really reincarnated?"
"Mhm, Shen Zhen guessed correctly."
Gu An nodded, then briefly recounted Ye Lan's reincarnations over the years.
When they learned that Ye Lan had endured dozens of lifetimes, yet never forgot Gu An, even Shen Zhen was moved.
Tian Yao'er, on the other hand, was so touched that her eyes reddened. She immediately expressed her desire to meet Xiao Lan.
"Focus on your cultivation. You wouldn't want her to surpass you, would you?" Gu An teased instead of answering.
With a smug grin, Tian Yao'er said, "I'm a Wandering Immortal. It won't be that easy for her to catch up to me."
But Shen Zhen, on the other hand, asked curiously, "Her talent in this lifetime… is it really that high?"
"Very high."
Gu An's simple response made Tian Yao'er feel an immediate sense of urgency. Without another word, she quickly left to resume her cultivation.
Shen Zhen also stopped interrupting Gu An's treasure refinement. She wasn't worried about Xiao Lan surpassing her. Rather than blindly pursuing power, she enjoyed comprehending the Grand Dao—the essence of the Dao itself brought her joy.
For someone at Gu An's level, refining treasures was effortless. It no longer required his full concentration.
Instead, he was watching someone else.
Someone far away, in another Grand Thousand World.
Zhang Buku!
He had already been sent by the Buddha Immortal to Tai Ze Grand World in search of the Divine Anomaly World Lord. The two had already reunited, but now they had encountered a major crisis in Tai Ze Grand World.
This crisis would leave them severely injured, but in the end, they would escape alive.
For that reason, Gu An had no intention of interfering.
Even knowing the future, he continued observing because this battle had introduced a new variable.
Before this, Zhang Buku's fate had never included this mysterious person.
But now, this person would frequently appear in Zhang Buku's future.
Not only that—
The two of them would even form an exceptionally deep connection.