Steadily becoming a saint, the immortal officials hired me to tend the horses-Chapter 735 - 727: The True Immortal

"I saw an immensely large black hole appear above the void of the Great Dao, from which many evil demons surged out, flying toward the Three Thousand Great Worlds. They looked incredibly terrifying, beyond description, and even in my dream, I felt a sense of despair and suffocation."

Shen Zhen frowned, recounting the feelings from his previous dream.

Gu An was not surprised, for he had witnessed the same scene.

Those demons, like Chaos Grudge Luo, originated from the Outer Heaven Chaos. As for why they descended upon the Three Thousand Great Worlds, Gu An had not seen it for now, but he could confirm it was related to the Heavenly Court, because he saw a thick Celestial Dao Destiny in that black hole.

Shen Zhen continued to speak while Gu An was refining treasures, listening intently and occasionally responding.

An hour later.

Gu An left the courtyard alone, walking down the mountain path, admiring the scenery along the way and looking toward Outer Heaven.

The Misty Immortal Court was preparing to intervene in the struggle for the position of Son of Heaven, seeing it as a rare opportunity, prompting Tian Hao to prepare for battle early.

Since joining the Misty Immortal Court, Tian Hao had undergone many trials and tribulations, which overall had gone smoothly, making him now one of the most prized prodigies of the Misty Immortal Court.

His identity as the reincarnation of the Son of Heaven had not yet been exposed.

But in the future struggle for the position of Son of Heaven, Tian Hao would awaken his Origin Consciousness and revert to the Son of Heaven, though whether he could return to the Heavenly Court remained uncertain.

Looking at Tian Hao, Gu An’s eyes reflected the image of An Hao.

Although Tian Hao still had him in his heart, Gu An could feel their bond as master and disciple was weakening, the distance growing further.

When Tian Hao regains his identity as the Son of Heaven, it will be even harder for them to meet.

Time really turns familiar people into strangers.

Gu An did not feel upset; this change only prompted him to reflect, and he rather enjoyed such a taste.

He had raised an eagle, watched it grow, and now saw it soar into the sky.

The cause and effect in the world are intertwined, intersecting and diverging, leading to different destinies. Seeing through destiny, enjoying every connection.

After looking at Tian Hao, Gu An turned to other old acquaintances, such as Jiang Qiong, Li Xuandao, the cultivators of Human World Peak, and others who had become almost strangers.

One million six hundred eighty thousand years had passed.

Of the old friends from back then, less than one-tenth had survived, but those who lived to this day had become individuals of great power, commanding respect.

Looking at them, Gu An reminisced about the past.

With higher cultivation, Gu An could see more causes and effects, equating to possessing many memories. Past memories constantly compressed, although never forgotten, they were easily overlooked in daily life.

He did not want to forget his path.

Ever since breaking through to Xuan Qi Primordial Immortal, Gu An could feel his state of mind changing. His immense power caused him to gradually become indifferent to many things.

The distinction between immortals and mortals was real.

Just as mortals cannot empathize with plants and trees, this arose from a fundamental difference.

Gu An finally understood why Heavenly Court Immortals were so indifferent towards all living beings. Immortal and indestructible, their absolute power allowed them to witness any transformation in the world. To them, everything was meaningless, only alterations in their own status held significance.

To Gu An, the blooming and wilting flowers along the way symbolized individual lives.

Gradually, with each step he took, the surrounding scenery began to change.

When he stopped walking, he found himself in a field, golden rice paddies reflecting sunlight, with a village in the distance, and smoke rising softly.

Gu An turned to look at an elderly farmer working, smiling as he asked, "Old man, you’re still working at such an age? Where are your children and grandchildren?"

The elderly farmer, dressed in patched clothes, bent over and appeared to be seventy or eighty years old, moving slowly, sweat dripping down his face like tree bark, seemingly unconcerned.

Upon hearing Gu An’s words, he stopped his task, slowly turned to face Gu An, his eyes squinted into lines, toothless mouth revealing a kind smile, replied, "Though I’m old, I still have strength. As for my children, they were taken by demons in the mountains years ago. I have a grandson, though; he’s studying, aiming to achieve scholarly honors soon. How could he do such heavy work?"

Gu An nodded slightly upon hearing this.

The elderly farmer curiously asked, "Where do you come from, young master?"

Having lived for so many years, he had never seen someone as finely dressed as Gu An, with such outstanding temperament, resembling an immortal.

Of course, even if he were a true immortal, the farmer would not be excited. He had seen through life, ready to embrace the end at any time.

Gu An smiled, saying, "I come from the east, longing to traverse the world, to see all the scenery in this Human World. Passing by here, I’m a bit tired. Old man, do you mind if I chat with you?"

The old farmer smiled, said, "I don’t mind, I don’t mind. Why not come to my home? Though I have no fine wine or dishes, I can offer you something to quench your thirst and fill your stomach."

Gu An took two steps forward, sat on a mound, smiling, "No need, I’ll just sit here and chat with you."

The old farmer tried to straighten his bent frame, leaning on his hoe, smilingly watching Gu An.

"As I traveled, I encountered many Immortal Cultivation sects. Why don’t you let your grandson pursue immortal cultivation but instead scholarly honors?" Gu An asked.

The old farmer shook his head with a smile, saying, "What’s good about immortal cultivation? His parents once pursued Immortal Fate, but sadly, they lacked Spirit Roots, returning disappointed. They were captured by demons due to their unwillingness to accept this, stealing the demons’ treasure. I don’t want my grandson to follow their path. After all, dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes. If my grandson had Immortal Fate, his parents would not have been rejected by Immortal Cultivation sects."

"You seem to have an open perspective. But what does your grandson think?"

"He probably wants to pursue immortal cultivation, but for now, to please me, he’s aiming for scholarly honors. He wishes to establish a family and career to prevent our name from being extinguished."

Gu An and the old farmer conversed casually, as if discussing mundane matters, with no particular purpose, talking about whatever came to mind.

He not only listened but shared his encounters along the journey, making the old farmer marvel at the vastness of the world.

After chatting for about an hour, Gu An finally stood up.

Standing on the mound, under the sun, he stretched lazily, while the old farmer watched him, smiling without feeling sad about the impending parting.

"Old man, when your journey ends, we shall meet again."

Gu An looked down at the old farmer, smiling softly.

The old farmer paused, asking, "Are you really an immortal?"

Gu An replied, "Compared to me, you are the true immortal."

The old farmer showed no joy or confusion upon hearing this; he continued to wear his kind smile, wiped the sweat from his face, said, "Is that so? If true, then that’s wonderful. This way, I can bless my grandson with success in scholarly honors."

Gu An turned to leave, leaving behind a parting message, "Once you become an immortal, you might not care for it anymore."