Our Gu Family excels in Alchemy but has always had a shortcoming in Artifact Refining. Yao Beast Materials are not of much benefit to our Gu Family. It would be better to yield the Yao Beast Materials to the Fang Family and then exchange them for a batch of Magic Treasures using Medicinal Pills. This way, we not only show deference to the Fang Family but also convenience our Gu Family.”
“Later, I will go with you to the Family Treasury to retrieve more Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones, which will also be convenient for exchanging good items at the exchange fair,” Gu Wanchang continued.
“That is natural,” Gu Wanhao nodded.
He stroked his beard as if he had suddenly thought of something.
“Wan Hua should be back by now, right? It has been almost five years since she went out to travel after her Foundation Establishment. I wonder what her Cultivation is like now.” The Gu Wanhua that Gu Wanhao spoke of was the only female Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator in the Gu Family. After successfully achieving Foundation Establishment a few years ago, she went out to travel and has not returned since.
Gu Wanchang said with a smile,
“I have already sent a message to Wan Hua, and she replied that she will be back within a month. As for her Cultivation, Wan Hua is already at the second level of Foundation Establishment. It seems she has gained quite a lot from her travels these past few years. Once Wan Hua returns, I will let her manage the Physical Affairs Hall. She is meticulous in her work, making her most suitable to be the Elder of Physical Affairs.”
Gu Wanhao was also a bit surprised. Gu Wanhua advanced to the second level of Foundation Establishment in less than four years after entering the Foundation Establishment Stage, which was very fast. As for the Elder of Physical Affairs, Gu Wanhua was indeed the best candidate.
Gu Wanhao and Gu Wanchang’s worries and various considerations at this time had nothing to do with Gu Changhuan, who was currently reading a travelogue.
This travelogue recorded many interesting and strange events of the Cultivation World, making it perfect for passing the time and broadening one's horizons.
Among them, a peculiar tale caught Gu Changhuan's attention.
The book recorded that a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator named Red Cloud Taoist suddenly had his Divine Soul leave his Physical Body during his Cultivation. The Divine Soul, separated from the Physical Body, somehow arrived in another realm and wandered there for several years without being able to return to his original realm. Just as this Red Cloud Taoist was at a loss and even contemplating giving up, a golden light rushed towards his Divine Soul. When he regained his senses, he found his Divine Soul back in his body.
Just as he suspected everything was an illusion, he discovered that his Physical Body’s Qi and blood were insufficient, much like someone with little Lifespan remaining. This Red Cloud Taoist was naturally shocked. He left his Immortal Cave to go to a nearby market and was recognized by the guards at the market entrance. The guards were greatly surprised to see him, as they had not seen this Red Cloud Taoist for fifty years and thought he had long since passed away. Seeing him again now naturally caused them astonishment.
Furthermore, that Red Cloud Taoist, whose Divine Soul had suddenly left his Immortal Cave for fifty years, resulting in his Qi and blood drying up and making it difficult for him to advance further on the path of Cultivation, naturally felt extremely wronged. He told everyone he met about his bizarre encounter. Some believed him, some did not, and most people simply laughed it off after hearing about it. However, the owner of this book found the matter quite interesting and bizarre, so he recorded it in the book.
When Gu Changhuan read about the deeds of this Red Cloud Taoist, he recalled his own strange dreams. In his dreams, he became another person living in a world completely different from the current Cultivation World, in a different way. However, he could only dream of fragmented scenes each time and did not understand much about that “self” in his dreams.
Incidentally, the Red Cloud Taoist in the book recorded everything he saw and heard in the other realm during his final years, compiling it into a book titled “Red Cloud Taoist’s Records of Otherworldly Experiences.”
The most dramatic part was that this book became a huge hit after its publication, bringing the Red Cloud Taoist considerable wealth. It was a pity that because his Divine Soul had left his Physical Body for fifty years, causing his Qi and blood to dry up, even obtaining a large unexpected fortune could not help him Breakthrough to the Zifu Stage, and he eventually passed away.
That book, “Red Cloud Taoist’s Records of Otherworldly Experiences,” was also in Gu Wanhao’s study, but that book had long been put aside. Gu Wanhao was not interested in such strange records; the only books he read were Cultivation Techniques and Alchemy scriptures.
Gu Changhuan was quite interested in the other realm where the Red Cloud Taoist’s Divine Soul had gone. He excitedly searched through a pile of disorganized books and found “Red Cloud Taoist’s Records of Otherworldly Experiences,” then began to read it.
“In the other realm, I had no form. I passed through objects and walls; the people of that realm could not see me.”
The book began by writing,
“In the other realm, all are Mortals. Occasionally, there are capable individuals who, without Cultivation, may possess the ability to split mountains or have wisdom close to that of a Yao Beast, which is quite miraculous.”
“I spent over five hundred years in the other realm, yet only fifty years passed in this realm. I cannot help but marvel at the wonders of creation. Over five hundred years, I witnessed the rise and fall of two Dynasties.
The founding monarch of the Qin Dynasty had the talent of a celestial being, but alas, the other realm had no method of Cultivation, so the Qin Monarch could never enter the Dao in his lifetime. I also saw the Han Ancestor and sighed at how circumstances create heroes; no need to mention him. However, between the Qin and Han Dynasties, there was a Mortal whose strength could uproot mountains, which also astonished me!”
“Strength to uproot mountains… Qin Monarch… Han Ancestor…” Gu Changhuan murmured unconsciously. Something was on the tip of his tongue, yet he couldn't fully recall it, but he inexplicably felt it was something very important to him.
The more Gu Changhuan tried to think, the more his head ached. His face turned pale, his forehead was covered in sweat, and his hands gripped the travelogue tightly. After a moment, Gu Changhuan’s strength gave out, and he fainted.
By the time Gu Changhuan woke up, it was already dark.
He sat blankly in place, his mind in a jumble. This was because many unfamiliar memories had suddenly appeared in his mind, and the owners of these memories were all the “selves” from Gu Changhuan’s dreams.
It turned out that the dreams Gu Changhuan had experienced were all real events; they were simply Gu Changhuan’s past lives.
In his past life, Gu Huan gained fame and fortune by appraising treasures with a piece of brocade, but the existence of the brocade was accidentally discovered by Gu Huan's friend. His friend became greedy, and before he could harm Gu Huan, Gu Huan saw through his intentions. The two argued and ultimately perished together.
Gu Changhuan dazedly absorbed over twenty years of Gu Huan’s memories. In Gu Huan’s memories, the Qin Monarch, Han Ancestor, and the person with strength to uproot mountains had also appeared, but they were all part of the history of Gu Huan’s time and space. Gu Huan did not personally experience them, but this period of history accelerated the process of awakening Gu Huan’s memories.
So, Gu Huan is my past life? Am I Gu Huan’s Reincarnation?
Gu Changhuan suddenly felt a sense of confusion about who he was. It was as if a thousand voices in his heart were questioning and challenging him: Was he Gu Huan or Gu Changhuan? Or, was he neither?
At this moment, Gu Wanhao, who had been busy all afternoon, finally returned. Seeing Gu Changhuan sitting on the ground with a pale face, he couldn't help but ask with concern,
“Gu Changhuan, what’s wrong?”
“N-nothing… I just accidentally fell while getting a book. Grandpa, don’t worry,” Gu Changhuan quickly said, then hurried away. He was still holding the “Red Cloud Taoist’s Records of Otherworldly Experiences” in his hand.