Hearing An Xin's words, Gu An pulled out the Pen of Destiny from his waist and handed it to her.
An Xin froze, gripping the Pen of Destiny in confusion as she looked at Gu An. She had seen this pen in his hands for years, but she had never sensed any spiritual energy from it. Because of that, she had never considered it to be a treasure.
"Take it for now. I'll refine another treasure for you later," Gu An said casually, his gaze still fixed on Lü Xian.
An Xin had been with Gu An long enough to not hold back her words. She quickly asked, "How do I use this?"
As she spoke, she lifted the Pen of Destiny and waved it in the air, noting that it didn't even have ink.
"When you encounter someone who should be killed, it will act on its own," Gu An replied, making An Xin more curious about the pen.
She knew Gu An wouldn't joke about such things, which meant this pen must be powerful.
She immediately bowed in thanks and then left with the Pen of Destiny in hand.
Gu An turned his head to watch An Xin leave, his eyes filled with deep meaning.
She had been helping Yi Qingshan and the others more frequently, and it had gradually become a habit. Though it hadn't interfered with her own cultivation, she now saw Yi Qingshan and the others as her disciples in a way. But worldly emotions were rarely perfect.
If one day Yi Qingshan and the others passed away, he hoped she wouldn't be too heartbroken.
Still, this was something all cultivators had to face. It wasn't necessarily good or bad, but experiencing the myriad emotions of the world could shape one's Dao heart.
Once An Xin had left, Lü Xian opened his eyes and asked, "Master, what exactly is this divine ability? I feel like it's not a divine ability at all. It's extremely mysterious—even as I cultivate, I can't fully comprehend its essence."
After entering Wushi Dao Field, Lü Xian had started addressing Gu An as "Master," and Gu An had not refused him. After all, they had never shared a close brotherly bond before.
Gu An looked up at the sky and said, "Indeed, it doesn't count as a divine ability. Once you master it, you'll understand its true nature. With it, you will be able to roam freely through this mortal world."
Hearing this, Lü Xian instinctively asked, "Only in this mortal world?"
Gu An turned to look at him with an amused expression. "Do your eyes have the capacity to encompass the entire world?"
Lü Xian froze and could only laugh awkwardly.
Gu An's gaze shifted into the distance, a look of anticipation appearing on his face.
It was finally coming to an end!
…
Under the vast sky, peaks jutted out from a sea of clouds. Atop one of these towering mountains stood Li Ya, Sword Annihilation Patriarch, and Annihilation God Emperor.
Li Ya turned to Annihilation God Emperor and asked, "Senior, since you're leaving, can you still not reveal your true identity?"
Over the years of Annihilation God Emperor's teachings, his reverence for him had only deepened.
He even felt that Annihilation God Emperor might not be any weaker than Gu An.
Under Annihilation God Emperor's guidance, he had not only mastered multiple divine abilities but had also gained a deeper understanding of the cultivation path.
There was one time when Annihilation God Emperor had left for a while, and Li Ya had secretly asked Sword Annihilation Patriarch just how powerful Annihilation God Emperor truly was.
Sword Annihilation Patriarch had only said one sentence, one that Li Ya could never forget.
"Other than the Heavenly Dao, he is the strongest."
At the time, Li Ya had asked how he compared to Sword Master of the Dao.
But Sword Annihilation Patriarch had simply shaken his head and said nothing.
After that, Li Ya clearly sensed that Sword Annihilation Patriarch's attitude toward Annihilation God Emperor had grown increasingly respectful, to the point that he suspected Sword Annihilation Patriarch had already acknowledged Annihilation God Emperor as his master.
He dared not ask too much. After all, before taking him as a disciple, Sword Annihilation Patriarch had once told him that he carried great karmic ties and did not want Li Ya to bear that burden prematurely.
"When you are strong enough to dominate the world, invincible in all realms, and step beyond the heavens to roam freely, you will naturally hear of my legend."
Annihilation God Emperor gazed into the distance and spoke calmly, his tone devoid of any emotion.
So arrogant!
Li Ya sighed inwardly but also found himself yearning for such a demeanor.
How many years of cultivation would he need before he could speak such words with confidence?
Sword Annihilation Patriarch followed up, saying, "I will do my best to cultivate him to that level."
"It does not matter. I do not care how high his achievements will be in the future. The divine abilities have been taught, and our karmic ties are now clear."
As soon as Annihilation God Emperor finished speaking, he took a step forward. His foot landed in midair as if an invisible path supported him.
Li Ya had not even finished marveling at Annihilation God Emperor's domineering presence when, suddenly, a figure appeared ahead of them.
Pa!
A single hand pressed down on Annihilation God Emperor's shoulder, rendering him completely immobile.
Annihilation God Emperor's pupils shrank suddenly. In an instant, black energy engulfed his face, and a set of heavy black armor draped over his body, revealing his true form.
However, even then, he was horrified to find that he was unable to escape.
The mysterious palm on his shoulder suppressed his Dao Fruit, causing everything within his Dao Fruit World to freeze in place.
Both Li Ya and Sword Annihilation Patriarch were also startled by the sudden figure. Sword Annihilation Patriarch wanted to speak, but an overwhelming pressure enveloped him, making it impossible for him to move or even open his mouth.
Li Ya was similarly restrained, but he did not panic.
Because the figure before him was someone he would never forget.
It was Sword Master of the Dao!
No…
It was Gu An, utilizing the Demon Shadow Divine Art!
Wrapped in dark purple demonic energy, Gu An appeared even more sinister than Annihilation God Emperor himself. Standing at the edge of the cliff, he pressed a single hand against the floating Annihilation God Emperor, preventing him from advancing even a step further.
The entire world seemed to fall into complete silence.
"Your legend?"
Gu An's voice rang out as his right hand clenched.
Boom!
Annihilation God Emperor instantly disintegrated, turning into a cloud of black mist that was then absorbed into Gu An's palm.
The mighty Annihilation God Emperor had no power to resist in the face of Gu An.
Seeing Annihilation God Emperor vanish in an instant, both Li Ya and Sword Annihilation Patriarch were left wide-eyed in shock.
Gu An tilted his head slightly. Though his face was obscured, Li Ya and Sword Annihilation Patriarch both felt as if they were being seen through completely.
Sword Annihilation Patriarch, in particular, was overwhelmed with fear.
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Today's events must not be spoken of. Not a single word."
The moment the voice finished speaking, Gu An disappeared without a trace.
As soon as he left, the crushing pressure also vanished.
Sword Annihilation Patriarch let out a sigh of relief, but his heart still trembled in lingering terror.
Li Ya remained frozen in place.
Annihilation God Emperor's words still echoed in his mind.
"If you venture beyond the heavens, you will hear of my legend…"
A legend…
Yet Gu An…
Had erased it with a single hand?
Li Ya was completely stunned.
Just moments ago, he had been thinking that Annihilation God Emperor might be the only existence more powerful than Gu An.
Yet, in the next instant, Gu An had appeared and erased him as if he were nothing.
At this moment, a ridiculous thought crossed his mind.
Could Gu An have heard his inner thoughts and come specifically for this?
But he immediately dismissed the idea, scolding himself for coming up with such an absurd notion.
Still, he could not help but wonder—what kind of grudge existed between Gu An and Annihilation God Emperor?
He turned to look at Sword Annihilation Patriarch, only to see his expression change drastically.
After years of being together, Li Ya had never seen Sword Annihilation Patriarch wear such a look.
Fear, despair, unease, regret…
Watching the complicated and almost pitiful expression on Sword Annihilation Patriarch's face, Li Ya felt something inside him shatter.
Why was his master not even as powerful as his junior brother?
For the first time, he felt lost.