Arc 5The Sword Venerable’s Rise
Gu An secretly destroyed the Epiphyllum Sect’s schemes and emerged as Sword Venerable Fudao, helping Taixuan Sect repel its enemies and expand its influence. As the Golden Ranking Assembly approached, Gu An remained at Mystic Valley until he sensed thirteen powerful ghostlike figures carrying a coffin.
- Gu An uncovered the Epiphyllum Sect’s plots, killed its agents and destroyed its underground Epiphyllum Tree before the sect’s forces could threaten Taixuan Sect.
- Gu An found the Xuantian Grotto-Abode and took the Heaven-Severing Axe, then used it to kill Jin Lingzun and reveal himself to Taixuan Sect as Sword Venerable Fudao.
- Gu An secretly killed the Epiphyllum Tree beneath the Path of Nine Serenities, freeing its captives and prompting Ji Hantian to announce Sword Venerable Fudao’s intervention.
- Gu An refused a place on the Path of Nine Serenities and advised Lu Baitian on ways to build Taixuan Sect’s reputation, while An Hao began comprehending Sword Venerable Fudao’s sword intent.
- Sword Venerable Fudao defeated the Heaven Sword Daoist in Outer Sect City, and Taixuan Sect prepared the Golden Ranking Assembly and the World’s First Sword Assembly.
- Five years later, Gu An heard of An Hao’s growing fame, helped Lu Lingjun join Taixuan Sect, and received Zhou Tongyou and Li Ya as they prepared for the Golden Ranking Assembly.
- At the Spring Festival gathering, Gu An sensed thirteen ghostlike Body Integration Realm cultivators in a dark forest, four of them carrying a huge coffin.