Steadily becoming a saint, the immortal officials hired me to tend the horses

"What's the bad news?"

Gu An asked, sensing that Lv Baitian's aura was very weak, so he performed a Life Span Detection on him.

[Lv Baitian (Unification Realm Nine Layers): 764/2050/3200]

It didn't look like there was much of a change.

Wait a minute!

His lifespan had dropped by eleven hundred years!

Gu An remembered that his previous lifespan was three thousand one hundred fifty years.

Could it be a failed Tribulation Crossing?

Gu An was secretly alarmed, no wonder in the cultivation simulations, every time he failed, many years had to pass before he could attempt to cross the tribulation again. Reality was the same, and in reality, one might even die, and even if not dead, one could not continuously attempt the tribulation.

Lv Baitian took a deep breath and said, "I failed the tribulation crossing, unable to break through to a higher realm. I even need many years to recuperate before I can recover my peak cultivation level."

Upon hearing this, Gu An's face changed drastically, and he immediately became excited, stepping forward two steps and anxiously asking, "Sect Leader, are you okay? You must take care of yourself, the Supreme Sect can't be without you!"

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Lv Baitian's gloomy face, and Gu Zong also felt reassured.

Ji Hantian, however, was displeased and said, "What do you mean it can't be without him? If he dies, there's still me."

Which Vice Sect Leader doesn't want to be the Sect Leader?

But is it really good to be so blunt?

Gu An thought to himself, his face still full of worry.

"Don't worry, I won't die, but wanting to attempt a higher realm again in this life will be difficult. If I fail next time, then I will truly die." Lv Baitian said somberly, recalling his tribulation experience, his face showing a look of lingering fear.

Gu An couldn't help but ask further, "Is the heavenly tribulation that difficult? Even a great cultivator like you can't handle it?"

Ji Hantian snorted, "He has surpassed countless beings of the Nine Dynasties in crossing the tribulation. Many people and demons spend their entire lives without even reaching the Unification Realm."

Gu Zong nodded and self-mockingly said, "I'm one of those who can't reach the Unification Realm."

Gu An took a deep breath and bitterly said, "Don't talk about the Unification Realm; I can't even reach the Core Formation Realm."

His current outward cultivation level was still at the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"Don't worry, even if I have to spend elixirs and precious treasures, I can get you to the Core Formation Realm. However, reaching the Nascent Soul Realm depends on your personal fate and opportunities; even the sect can't help with that. Of course, you have one other option, and that is to become my disciple.

I can directly transfer my cultivation to you." Lv Baitian said with a wave of his sleeve, assertively.

Here we go again!

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Just as Gu An was about to refuse, Ji Hantian couldn't help but interject, "Don't think about transferring cultivation now; the Ephemera Sect is looking at us like a tiger watching its prey, they might attack tomorrow. Even if he inherits your cultivation, he won't have your strength. Right now, the Supreme Sect truly can't be without you."

Gu Zong nodded, saying, "I have already contacted the Supreme Elders, though I don't know how many can return."

The conversation turned to the Supreme Elders, and Lv Baitian's attention was diverted as he began to reflect.

It turned out that the reason the Supreme Elders left the Supreme Sect was all to seek opportunities to reach above the Unification Realm. Historically, only a tenth of those Supreme Elders ever returned, and within that tenth, only a tenth managed a successful breakthrough; the rest came back to live out the rest of their lives.

Ji Hantian brought up the True Inheritor, believing that person was the Supreme Sect disciple most likely to surpass the Unification Realm, even more likely than the Supreme Elders.

This made Gu An curious about the True Inheritor, wondering what sort of talent it was that made everyone in the Supreme Sect mention him with respect and anticipation.

Gu An stood to the side, quietly listening, learning more about the past of the Supreme Sect.

A full half an hour passed before the three ended their conversation.

"The most important thing I came here for today is that we'll be sending more high-rank seeds soon. You must carefully cultivate them; it concerns the future battle between the Supreme Sect and the Ephemera Sect," Ji Hantian said seriously to Gu An.

Sending seeds?

The more, the merrier!

Gu An quickly promised, "No matter how many you send, I will do my best to cultivate them; I absolutely won't be negligent!"

Gu Zong laughed heartily, "I love your enthusiasm. None of the other Medicine Valley masters are as earnest as you, either neglecting their duties or pocketing resources. Keep up the good work, and later we will promote you to an Inner Sect Disciple."

Gu An promptly expressed his gratitude.

Straight after, Lv Baitian and the other two got up and left.

As they walked out of the pavilion, Lv Baitian's complexion instantly recovered. As the Sect Leader, he couldn't let the disciples see him in a weakened state.

Gu An went downstairs and watched them leave in the distance.

He felt a bit regretful; he had wanted to ask Ji Hantian when the seventh-tier Spirit Tree would arrive.

…

Neither the news of the fall of the Ephemera Tree nor of Lv Baitian's failed tribulation had spread in the world of immortal cultivation, at least not when Ye Lan came to see Gu An. She hadn't mentioned these two events.

Upcoming Spring Festival, Ye Lan was unable to participate since the Law Enforcement Hall had a major mission that would take several months.

Gu An stood on the edge of the terrace, watching Ye Lan's figure disappearing into the flurry of falling snow until she vanished, only then did he withdraw his gaze.

He looked at Yang Ni emerging from the woods. As Yang Ni walked past his building, he asked, "You said the Ephemera Sect has no foundation, yet it attracts so many cultivators to join; how foolish are the cultivators of this world?"

Yang Ni stopped in her tracks, looked up at Gu An, and said, "Maybe the Ephemera Sect has something they want to obtain?"

"Is that so? But I feel it's more like a scam. Previously, the Demon Extermination Hall of the Outer Sect was just like this. Lu Jiujia initially trusted the Demon Extermination Hall, thinking he could follow a clear path upwards, but he ended up being persecuted."

Gu An spoke in a reflective tone, shook his head, and said, "It appears that looking around this world, everyone can't escape one word, and that is 'struggle.' It's still better here in the Medicine Valley; I don't need to compete for anything."

Having said that, he turned and went back inside.

Yang Ni frowned, sensing that Gu An was hinting at her.

If Gu An had guessed her connection with the Ephemera Sect, why didn't he just say it outright?

Yang Ni pondered for a bit, then decided to find Lu Jiujia to chat and see what Gu An was talking about.

...

With winter snow swirling, the Ji Family finally delivered the promised seventh-rank Spirit Tree.

[Pure Yang Tree (Seventh-Rank): 2/8999/64000]

Gu An carried a sapling taller than a person and began searching for a suitable planting site.

In the end, he decided to plant the Pure Yang Tree in the open space in front of the loft, and he immediately summoned his disciples to shovel the snow and dig the soil.

Hearing that it was a seventh-rank Spirit Tree, many disciples gathered around to watch the excitement.

Even though the Pure Yang Tree was still in its sapling state, as soon as it was planted, the snow around it began to melt, making everyone nearby feel warm, as if it were a tree of fire.

This Pure Yang Tree was Gu An's personal treasure, so listening to the disciples' discussions, he felt a great sense of accomplishment.

His gaze suddenly drifted towards the distance; he saw a group of cultivators flying over the mountain peaks on their swords, led by Lv Songhan, the Elder of the Outer Sect.

Following Lv Songhan were two hundred Qi Cultivation Realm Servant Disciples, all above the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation Realm.

Hm?

Why has she come?

Gu An saw Ascender Lu Lingjun also behind Lv Songhan. This chap's surface cultivation level was the eighth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, a well-hidden depth.

Who would have thought that this Servant Disciple was actually a ninth layer Cultivator of the Unification Realm, comparable to Lv Baitian?

If it really came to a fight, Gu An felt that Lv Baitian might not be a match for Lu Lingjun, as Lv Baitian had only lived for over seven hundred years, while Lu Lingjun was nearly two thousand years old, an old monster.

After Lv Songhan landed, he cupped his fists with a smile and said, "Brother Gu, here are two hundred Servant Disciples specially selected for you to command, already approved by the higher-ups." read-this-on-NovelFire

The choice of Servant Disciples was because it is difficult for Servant Disciples to steal the medicinal herbs here; after all, this is Inner Sect territory with a whole Outer City nearby, so security is not a concern. The main thing is manpower.

Gu An went forward and exchanged pleasantries with Lv Songhan.

In the midst of the crowd, Lu Lingjun sized up Gu An, curiously pondering how a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator could be brothers with a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator?

What's his background?

The other Servant Disciples were thrilled, as this Medicine Valley in the Inner Sect's territory represented a great opportunity for them.

After Lv Songhan left, Gu An called Xiaochuan over, instructing him to arrange accommodations for these Servant Disciples.

He did not take another look at Lu Lingjun, not wanting to entangle closely with an Ascender.

That day, the new Servant Disciples were all constructing the loft and then exploring the Third Medicine Valley on their own.

Seeing two seventh-rank Spirit Trees hidden within the Third Medicine Valley, Lu Lingjun was quite surprised.

Before ascending, she had seen a seventh-rank Spirit Tree, over twenty thousand years old and larger than mountains.

The foundation of the Supreme Sect was terrifying indeed; she must take root here!

Thus, Lu Lingjun showed great diligence in the days that followed, so much so that Gu An could not deliberately ignore her.

After New Year, Gu An asked Xiaochuan to select ten people to be Deacons of the Medicine Valley, responsible for managing the other Servant Disciples, and Xiaochuan chose Lu Lingjun as one of these ten.

Lu Lingjun's intense gaze made Gu An quite uncomfortable.

She was naturally beautiful, no female disciple in the valley was more attractive than her, and her performance was so impressive that if Gu An deliberately ignored her, it would only raise suspicions.

Gu An spoke to the ten Medicine Valley Deacons, encouraging them with a few words before dismissing them.

But Lu Lingjun approached him, whispering, "Valley Master, I have something to tell you, may we speak in your room?"

Upon hearing this, Gu An hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement, leading her toward the loft.

The other Deacons, still not far away, cast envious glances at Lu Lingjun.

Being beautiful is indeed an asset!

After entering the room, Lu Lingjun closed the door, and Gu An walked over to sit at the desk, casually flipping over the Green Hero Travelogue on the table.

Lu Lingjun approached the desk and took out a secret manual from her bosom, handing it to Gu An.

Gu An glanced at it.

Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art!

Intimidating name!

Lu Lingjun whispered, "This is my family's cultivation technique, I hope the Valley Master will not disdain it."

Gu An frowned and said, "What are you doing? Put it away quickly. What would it look like if someone saw this?"

Lu Lingjun nodded, understanding, and she put the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art back into her bosom, then took out a Magic Artifact from her storage bag.

"I told you, don't act rashly!"

Lu Lingjun then switched to a bottle of elixirs, claiming they could enhance Qi-Blood and meridians.

"Are you testing me with this? Are you questioning my devotion to the Supreme Sect!" Gu An rose angrily, his voice low as if he feared the disciples outside might hear.

Lu Lingjun cursed greed under her breath.

Suddenly, she thought of something else, took out a white jade long bottle from her storage bag, and said, "This is Heavenly Spirit Water. Though it's just a single bottle, if sprinkled on the ground, it can gather Spiritual Energy, form a lake that water can enhance the soil around it, allowing the heavenly materials and earthly treasures to grow faster.

Moreover, it can condense Spirit Pearls every year, which can be swallowed or used for making elixirs."

Upon hearing this, Gu An took the bottle from her hand, saying sternly, "This should not set a precedent. Tell me, what do you want, but it must not threaten the interests of the Supreme Sect."

Lu Lingjun showed a smile, "Valley Master, may I have your permission to cultivate under the Mystic Pure Tree?"

She had previously stood in front of the Mystic Pure Tree and spotted an enormously fat White Spirit Rat. Although the fat rat seemed to be sleeping, with her insight, she could tell that the fat rat was in a mysterious state of Path Enlightenment.