NOVEL NEXT Chapter 160: You’re Not Strong Enough
Chapter 160: You’re Not Strong Enough
Leaving Taixuan Sect?
Gu An froze for a moment—he hadn't expected Du Ye to come to him for this reason.
How could he possibly leave Taixuan Sect?
His entire foundation was here!
And besides, if the Ji Family left Taixuan Sect, where could they even go?
Frowning, Gu An asked, “Why are they relocating?”
Du Ye replied, “It’s got something to do with the Demonic Cataclysm. The family has already found a safe haven, and no matter what, we should be grateful that they’re taking us along. Just be ready—the exact departure date isn’t set yet, but when the time comes, don’t waste time.”
Gu An shook his head. “I can’t leave. Tell them thanks, but I intend to stay and fight alongside Taixuan Sect.”
Du Ye was stunned, his brows immediately knitting together.He lowered his voice, his tone serious. “Gu An, don’t forget where we came from.”
Gu An met his gaze and replied calmly, “I haven’t forgotten. The Ji Family raised me, and I’ve repaid them over the years with herbs and medicine. But Taixuan Sect has given me far more, and I haven’t even begun to repay my debt. I can’t leave. You go—I’ll stay.”
Du Ye’s face darkened. He wanted to scold Gu An, but he didn’t want the servant disciples to overhear.
After a moment, he exhaled sharply.
“There’s still time. Think it over carefully. When the demons invade Taicang Empire, it’ll be too late to run!”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and stormed off.
As he left, his expression was grim—not a trace of his usual smile remained.
Gu An, however, felt warmth in his heart.
Du Ye’s anger only meant that he genuinely cared about him.
If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have bothered to persuade him to leave.
But Gu An had no intention of abandoning Taixuan Sect.
If the sect fell, he could always escape then.
And with his cultivation, if he really wanted to flee, who could stop him?
That night, Gu An entered the Eight Views Celestial Realm.
Jiang Qiong was meditating beneath the Spirit Tree, a large cauldron in front of her, with alchemy flames burning underneath.
Sensing Gu An’s arrival, she asked casually, “What are you doing here? Didn’t you just visit two days ago?”
Gu An walked to the cauldron, peering into the brewing medicinal soup as he spoke.
“Today, someone from the Ji Family came to me. They said they’re preparing to leave Taixuan Sect and told me to get ready as well.”
At his words, Jiang Qiong’s eyes snapped open, her delicate brows furrowing.
“You’re leaving?” she asked.
If Gu An left, someone new would take over Xuan Valley—which wouldn’t be good for her.
For some reason, a strange irritation rose in her chest.
“No, I refused,” Gu An sighed. “I just don’t understand where the Ji Family thinks they can escape to.”
He had come here hoping that Jiang Qiong might have some insight.
Jiang Qiong scoffed, “They’re probably heading to the Seven Star Spirit Realm—it’s a sacred land even demons don’t dare invade. I heard a rumor before that Ji Family was planning to marry off Ji Xuanyu to a genius from the Seven Star Spirit Realm. Looks like it’s true. They’ve latched onto a powerful ally.”
The Seven Star Spirit Realm!
Gu An turned to her and frowned. “Is it really that powerful?”
Jiang Qiong smirked. “What do you think? Empires rise and fall, races wage endless wars, but the Seven Star Spirit Realm has stood unshaken for eons. In some ways, they are the true rulers of this land.
“The ones chasing me? They’re from the Seven Star Spirit Realm too. I snatched an opportunity they wanted for themselves,” she added with a hint of sarcasm.
Gu An resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
If a mere Nascent Soul cultivator like Jiang Qiong had stolen something from them, then how powerful could they really be?
As if reading his thoughts, Jiang Qiong laughed.
“Don’t underestimate them. Their heritage runs deep—they likely have a realm as vast as the entire Nine Dynasties. They have countless ancient noble clans, and their disciples are numbered in the millions.
“The ones I met were just a group of young elites on a training mission. None of them were even a hundred years old, yet they were already at the Nascent Soul Stage.”
For the first time, a trace of fear flickered in her eyes.
Even though she had survived their pursuit, she never considered seeking revenge—the gap in power was too immense.
A realm as vast as the Nine Dynasties?
Gu An’s curiosity about the Seven Star Spirit Realm only deepened.
No wonder they didn’t interfere with the conflicts of the mortal world—even if every human empire was wiped out, the human race would still survive within their domain.
The more he learned, the more uneasy he felt.
His instincts told him that once the Demonic Cataclysm ended, the Seven Star Spirit Realm would spark the next great war.
Still, Gu An wasn’t worried.
His strategy had always been the same—only act when he had absolute certainty of victory.
If he could fight, he’d fight.
If he couldn’t, he’d run.
Simple.
Jiang Qiong suddenly smirked.
“So, how do you feel about your Third Young Miss marrying into the Seven Star Spirit Realm?” she asked teasingly.
Gu An shrugged. “Ji Xuanyu is a peerless genius. It’s only natural she’d marry someone of equal stature. I’m happy for her.”
“Oh? Not even a little regret?” Jiang Qiong’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
Gu An raised an eyebrow, then spread his hands helplessly.
“Well… of course I feel a little regret. To be honest, I admired her. But my talent is mediocre, and I never had a chance. Since she’s out of reach, I can only wish her happiness.”
Jiang Qiong’s smile vanished.
She snorted coldly, “Good. Keep it that way. When status and talent don’t match, love only brings disaster. Remember that. Never let your emotions get in the way.”
Gu An nodded. “I don’t need to worry about that. There are plenty of female disciples in Xuan Valley.”
“Oh? Is that why you don’t focus on cultivation?”
“I meant that if I wanted a partner, it wouldn’t be difficult. But I don’t want one.”
Jiang Qiong nodded in approval. “That’s more like it. Dao companions are unreliable. I’ve seen countless lovers abandon or betray each other in times of crisis. Don’t get attached. It’s for your own good.”
Gu An grinned. “What about you? Ever had a Dao companion?”
“If I had, I’d be dead already.”
The two bantered back and forth, their conversation stretching over an hour before Gu An finally left.
Watching him go, Jiang Qiong muttered to herself,
“This kid doesn’t even call me ‘Master’ anymore. His thoughts are getting bold…”
As summer faded into autumn, Gu An arrived at Horizon Valley and noticed a new person there.
The visitor was Ji Xuanyu’s older brother—Ji Ruolai.
The pieces were moving.
The world was about to change.