Gu An watched Li Ya's battle and was somewhat satisfied with Li Ya's growth.
The Golden Extreme God wanted to recruit Li Ya and would not let him die, so Gu An had no intention of intervening.
It had been many thousands of years, and it was time for the mortal realm to face some turbulence.
For the common people, hardship could be an opportunity. Peace was not always free of danger. Only through great destruction and rebirth could there be true renewal.
Gu An continued to meditate, refining his Wondrous Truth Dharma Form.
In the coming years, in less than ten years, the congenital human race unleashed by the Golden Extreme God would become a great calamity to the world.
This congenital human race was led by a Vast Heaven Free Immortal, and more than ten Profound Origin Free Immortals were present. Every realm beneath them was represented, and the lowest cultivation level was that of an Immortal Dao Realm.
They slaughtered living beings wherever they went, establishing their own territories, causing turmoil throughout the world.
All of them were prisoners of the Golden Extreme God and believed this to be their only hope, so they fought with great fervor. Even if it meant going against the entire world, they were determined and displayed madness in their actions.
However, the strongest Vast Heaven Free Immortal remained low-key, not making any moves. No one knew what or whom they were fearing.
Time passed.
One hundred years had passed since the Golden Extreme God released the congenital human race, and this race had become a terrifying presence that the world feared. Though they were part of the human race, their methods were cruel, and they considered themselves congenital, which led the people of the Heavenly Spirit Great World to despise them.
The congenital human race did not stop at slaughter. They also conquered human emperor dynasties and sect powers. They expanded rapidly, spreading throughout the human realm, forming many factions and bringing disasters to various places.
At noon one day, Xiao Lan returned to her cave dwelling.
She walked to Gu An's side, who was sitting cross-legged by the lake, seemingly in deep meditation. In reality, he was only pretending.
"Gu Ge, the Dao Court is preparing to drive out the congenital human race, and I must join the battle. This might take many years before I can return," Xiao Lan said, sitting beside him.
She was neither fearful nor reluctant to part with Gu An. She was filled with anticipation and excitement.
After cultivating for tens of thousands of years, she had finally waited for an opportunity to showcase her strength!
She was still at the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal realm but was not far from breaking through to the Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal realm.
Gu An looked at her and sighed, "My little Lan'er has really grown up. She is about to become a savior."
"No, I'm just going to fight alongside the seniors. Of course, if I encounter anyone suffering, I will step in and help," Xiao Lan replied with a smile.
The Dao Court's philosophy was righteous, deserving of being the leader of the righteous path. At the very least, the vast majority of its disciples held the responsibility of saving the suffering.
If they encountered people in distress and did not offer help, it would go against the principles of Dao Court disciples!
Because of Xiao Lan, Gu An often visited the Dao Court and built many connections there. He was able to understand the workings of the Dao Court from the grassroots level.
Although some shady things did occur within the Dao Court, the disciples believed that as long as these matters were uncovered, the Dao Court would provide the answers they sought.
Xiao Lan began to recount the deeds of the congenital human race. This race did not come from the outside world; they appeared suddenly in the human realm, which made the Dao Court's high-ranking officials wary.
Xiao Lan had heard from one of her Zizai Immortal masters that the Dao Court had started investigating the secret realms of the human world to prevent more disasters like the congenital human race from appearing in the future.
Gu An acted as though he were fascinated, greatly satisfying Xiao Lan's desire to talk.
"Once she awakens her memories from her past life, she will no longer be as lively as she is now," Gu An thought to himself, cherishing the present moments with her.
Although Li Ya's soul had not changed, memories were still capable of affecting one's personality. What remained unchangeable was only one's true nature.
The two of them chatted for several hours. Xiao Lan then stood up to pack her things. Gu An did not accompany her, continuing his pretense of meditation.
Once Xiao Lan left, he could turn his attention to other matters.
…
When the Dao Court officially declared war on the Congenital Human Race, the morale of the heavens and all living beings soared. More and more sects, royal dynasties, and races joined in the siege of the Congenital Human Race, including Qiankun Sect, Tai Cang Dynasty, and Tai Xuan Gate.
However, even in the face of the entire world's siege, the Congenital Human Race displayed terrifying strength. Even the mighty cultivators of the Dao Court could not penetrate the territories established by the Congenital Human Race.
The battle began to dominate the rhythm of the world.
Gu An still traveled from one Dao Court to another, gathering mature herbs.
Even though he had already reached the Wondrous Truth Grand Luo Immortal realm, Gu An did not make any particular effort to extend his lifespan. His current rhythm was healthy, neither inviting trouble nor causing too much fatigue.
As his old acquaintances also got involved in the struggle with the Congenital Human Race, his life became more interesting. Watching the experiences of his old friends unfold gave him something to look forward to in life.
Fighting among the strong was the easiest way to gain fame. For the common people, the great calamities were disasters, but for the proud talents, they provided a massive stage.
More and more outstanding youths rose to fame, all those guided by the Golden Extreme God were emerging, spreading the name of Xuan Su Immortal Lord. His status in the hearts of all beings grew higher and higher.
It had been three hundred years since Xiao Lan went to war.
In the early morning hours, Gu An returned to the Wushi Dao Field while holding the white spirit mouse. Compared to the past, the white spirit mouse had become smaller, roughly the size of a cat, but it was still chubby.
"If you continue causing trouble in the mortal realm, I won't allow you to go out again," Gu An said, his tone somewhat stern as he walked.
The white spirit mouse shrunk its head and did not dare to make a sound.
A figure appeared under the tree ahead; it was Chen Chuan. He hurried to Gu An and bowed before hesitating to speak.
Gu An smiled and said, "If you have something to say, just speak."
He already knew the purpose of Chen Chuan's visit. Along the way, he had been contemplating this matter.
"The Congenital Human Race is causing chaos. A few years ago, the evil beings of the Congenital Human Race attacked Qiankun Sect. We want to go out and expel them, but Qiankun Sect suffered heavy losses because of the Congenital Human Race's evil forces. The common people of the world must be suffering even more."
Chen Chuan gathered his courage to speak, his tone filled with nervousness.
Having stayed at the Wushi Dao Field for seventy thousand years, he had never left. He also knew that his current strength was still insufficient to satisfy his master.
Gu An looked at him and said, "Then go. Tell the others, if they wish to go, they may. I allow you to use Dao Treasures, but once this tribulation is over, you must all return."
Chen Chuan was overjoyed and quickly thanked Gu An. He had not expected his master to agree so readily.
He immediately rushed back to convey the news.
Gu An continued to walk, not stopping his teachings to the white spirit mouse.
Meanwhile, the disciples gathered together. Hearing that Gu An had agreed to let them go, everyone was excited. Even Tian Yao'er wanted to go.
"Indeed, Master still cares about the common people. We must perform well and not tarnish the name of Wushi," Lu Xian said with excitement. He had long wanted to go out and test his skills against the world's strongest.
Others nodded. After a brief discussion, they each went to prepare, leaving only An Xin, Shen Zhen, and Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother who did not plan to go.
Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother did not think she was qualified to go.
Shen Zhen looked at An Xin and curiously asked, "Aren't you going either?"
An Xin casually replied, "I'll go when Master allows me to. I want to stay by his side and cultivate."