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

An Hao's Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword Intent stirred the entire Supreme Sect, drawing endless discussions among countless disciples, and the sword intent only dispersed after several ancient hours.

In the days that followed, all kinds of rumors emerged, the only certainty being that the oppressive force came from a type of sword intent, which led to an increasing number of sword cultivators on the Heavenly Repair Platform.

Gu An's days were fairly tranquil, traveling to and from the three Medicine Valleys, occasionally visiting the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion at night, and enjoying life at other times.

In the blink of an eye, nearly half a year had passed.

Gu An had reached the age of sixty-two.

It wasn't until now that the news of Sword Venerable Fudao's annihilation of the demon cultivators of the Ephemera Sect fully spread throughout the Immortal Cultivation World. When Gu An visited the Outer Sect, he often heard people chatting; Sword Venerable Fudao had evidently gained the reputation of the foremost sword cultivator in the Taicang Dynasty.

Some even believed he was the best in the world!

One midday, Gu An stood at the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform, looking at the hundred-zhang statue before him with a pleased mood.

This hundred-zhang statue was the Divine Statue of Sword Venerable Fudao, depicting Gu An as he displayed the form of the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body, with surrounding demonic qi crafted into a fierce aura. The statue had one hand pointing obliquely and the other holding a sword, exuding formidable dominance.

At this moment, it wasn't just Gu An sizing up the statue of the Sword Venerable; there were a dozen people gazing up at it, discussing amongst themselves.

Listening to those words of admiration for Sword Venerable Fudao, Gu An's mood was even more uplifted.

Who wouldn't want to be famous across the world?

Gu An did too, but he kept a low profile for fear of others discovering his life-stealing abilities. However, being able to shake the world under another identity also satisfied his vanity.

"Sword Venerable Fudao can indeed be considered the number one sword cultivator of the Taicang Dynasty, but he may not be the number one sword cultivator in the world!"

A voice caught Gu An's attention and also drew the gazes of many surrounding disciples.

The speaker was a man clad in blue, holding a folding fan and exuding elegance, with a calm look on his handsome face, as if the previous audacious claim hadn't come from him.

One tall and burly Inner Sect Disciple looked toward the man in blue, saying in a deep voice, "Oh? Let's hear it, who do you think is the first sword cultivator in the world?"

Sword Venerable Fudao had become the pride of all Supreme Sect disciples, not to be questioned by others.

The man in blue answered, "In the Westernmost Land, within the Tianwei Dynasty, there is a sword cultivator known as Daoist Tianjian. Seven hundred years ago, he was the top sword cultivator of Tianwei. Later, he secluded himself in the deep mountains to focus on his Sword Dao. Not long ago, a sword intent burst forth in Tianwei, proving he is still alive.

If Sword Venerable Fudao hadn't acted quickly, he might have been the one to end the Ephemera Sect."

Tianwei, one of the nine dynasties, lies on the far west, constantly plagued by demons. Yet, its territory is even more expansive than Taicang, which is enough to prove the strength of Tianwei's national power.

Gu An sensed that this person was concealing his true cultivation level. On the surface, it appeared he was only at the Core Formation Realm, but in reality, he had already reached the Divinity Transformation Realm.

He sent out a Life Span Detection.

[Si Zhe (Divinity Transformation Realm Second Layer): 289/800/1300]

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Concealing his cultivation level and boasting about a Tianwei cultivator, this fellow likely wasn't a Supreme Sect Disciple.

Gu An remained silent, watching the surrounding disciples verbally assault Si Zhe.

Si Zhe remained nonchalant, facing the slander and insults from the crowd with composure.

"Daoist Tianjian is indeed powerful and once shook the world, but that's old history. As a prince of the Tianwei Imperial Family with the Fire God Blood Lineage, speaking so wildly in the Supreme Sect, are you inviting war?"

A voice came through, and everyone turned their heads to see Mad Swordsman of Great Yu Han Ming stepping forward.

Si Zhe turned around to look and saluted with his hand, saying, "So it's the renowned Mad Swordsman. I've heard that you've stayed in the Supreme Sect for many years; are you planning to join?"

He smiled and spoke gently, but his words were quite uncomfortable to hear.

"Humph, kid, if it weren't for the favor your father received from me, you'd be dead by now. Do you really think your Divinity Transformation Realm cultivation can block my sword?" Han Ming snorted coldly.

Divinity Transformation Realm!

As these words were spoken, the disciples who had been insulting Si Zhe changed their expressions and quickly retreated.

"If that's the case, then I'll drop the pretense."

Si Zhe smiled, then looked around and shouted with qi supporting his voice, "I am a disciple of Daoist Tianjian from the Tianwei Imperial Family, Prince Si Zhe. Today, on behalf of my master, I come to extend a challenge. In three months, my master will personally visit the Heavenly Repair Platform to seek guidance on the Swordsmanship of Sword Venerable Fudao!"

His voice echoed under the heavens, and everyone in the city could hear it.

Someone was extending a challenge to Sword Venerable Fudao?

Han Ming laughed. He was the first sword cultivator to seek guidance from Sword Venerable Fudao. He reminded Si Zhe, "The Ephemera Sect had Great Cultivators that surpassed the Unification Realm. Does your master have such a realm?"

Si Zhe closed his fan and said with a laugh, "Naturally, he does. My father was about to ask him to take action against the Ephemera Sect, it's just that he was one step too slow."

His tone was arrogant, as if Daoist Tianjian was bound to defeat Sword Venerable Fudao, making the disciples of the Supreme Sect even more displeased.

An Elder appeared beside Si Zhe out of thin air and whispered a few words using the Sound Transmission Skill. Si Zhe's expression changed slightly, and he huffed, "Then let's go. The words have been delivered, whether to accept the challenge or not is up to Sword Venerable Fudao."

With that, he left with the Elder.

Gu An watched his retreating back and was on his guard internally.

Just as Sword Venerable Fudao had crushed the scheme of the Ephemera Sect and his reputation was at its peak, someone daring to jump out at this time might possess great strength.

Gu An didn't think too much about it and turned to leave the Heavenly Repair Platform, planning to check on Wu Jue.

A month ago, Wu Jue's maximum lifespan had increased again, which made Gu An even more interested in him, curious to know how far his lifespan could extend.

...

In the attic of the Third Medicine Valley, Lv Baitian said disdainfully, "Tianwei really has big ambitions, wanting to suppress the Supreme Sect in order to seize control of the Nine Nether Road. Although Daoist Tianjian is strong, daring to come to the Supreme Sect is truly seeking death!"

It had been a month since Si Zhe shouted his challenge, and the duel had already spread throughout the Taicang Immortal Cultivation World, with cultivators from various sects and regions coming to watch.

Lv Baitian, sly as ever, took the opportunity to promote the Golden List throughout the cities.

The so-called Golden List is an index of the world's talents launched by the Supreme Sect, recording only geniuses under the age of five hundred, encompassing the lands of the nine dynasties. It has a huge attraction and is widely talked about.

Gu An, worried, asked, "The sects of the nine dynasties won't start infighting, will they?"

"You can rest assured on that. With the demonic calamity imminent, no one dares to act rashly. Moreover, with the possibility of the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage causing trouble on the Nine Nether Road, the sects of the nine dynasties must cooperate. Otherwise, one on one, no one can be absolutely certain of crushing the Ephemera Sect Main Lineage.

That's exactly why Tianwei requested Daoist Tianjian to intervene, in the guise of a friendly match, to apply pressure," Lv Baitian said with a wave of his hand.

Gu An asked again, "If Sword Venerable Fudao kills Daoist Tianjian, wouldn't that trigger a war?"

Han Ming is one thing, but now this!

Gu An really couldn't stand it anymore. This time, he was determined to make a move, to avoid these endless troubles.

"Naturally, it wouldn't. If even Daoist Tianjian died, Tianwei would only fear the Supreme Sect more! It would be for the best if Sword Venerable Fudao killed Daoist Tianjian!" Lv Baitian snorted, his face showing a fierce expression.

Gu An suddenly remembered this guy had once been impeached by the Hall of Elders for his overbearing actions.

Lv Baitian's tone changed as he said, "An Hao is a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao, do you think his appearance before me is a reminder from Sword Venerable Fudao?"

"A reminder of what?"

"A reminder that my position as sect leader is not secure."

When Lv Baitian spoke these words, his eyes became profound and his tone elusive, leaving others uncertain what he was thinking.

Gu An was torn between laughter and tears, saying helplessly, "If that's the case, isn't Chu Tianqi already dead?"

Lv Baitian asked, "Do you think not?"

"But An Hao is extremely talented and surely favored by Sword Venerable Fudao. If you were in his shoes, would you send your most beloved disciple to the side of your enemy to serve as a sword?" Gu An felt Lv Baitian was somewhat obsessed.

"What you say makes sense," Lv Baitian said with a chuckle.

Looking at his smile, Gu An felt a sudden surge of apprehension.

Wait a minute!

Why ask him about such things?

Lv Baitian continued, "An Hao is too gifted. Once he fully matures, it will be easy for him to earn respect throughout the Supreme Sect, much like that True Inheritor. Boy, if you don't take the position of sect leader, it might well be his."

"Wouldn't that be even better? I don't want to be sect leader anyway."

Gu An shook his head, and Lv Baitian smiled, saying no more.

Afterward, Gu An inquired about Ye Lan's situation, since the first group to head towards the Nine Nether Road had already departed.

"Don't worry, I've personally instructed the leading elder to take care of her," Lv Baitian said.

With the Qinghong Sword in hand, Gu An could always sense Ye Lan's condition. He could intervene only when she was in danger. He didn't want her to be neglected or bullied during normal times.

The two chatted for a while longer, and before leaving, Lv Baitian left a book behind.

Gu An waited for him to leave before picking it up to read.

Defying Fate Divine Skill!

...

At dusk.

Carrying the North Sea Heavy Sword, Li Ya arrived at the edge of the Heavenly Repair Platform and gazed at the Divine Statue of Sword Venerable Fudao, his eyes unable to conceal his excitement.

"Ancestor, the Primordial Ancestor really was Sword Venerable Fudao!" Li Ya roared inwardly.

The ancestor was also shocked, musing, "I thought he was..."

"The demon from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?"

"Yes."

"Hahaha, I knew it, our Primordial Ancestor couldn't possibly be a demon cultivator!"

Li Ya felt elated, having heard about Daoist Tianjian's challenge on the way. So, he had specifically come to the Heavenly Repair Platform to pay homage to Sword Venerable Fudao. To his revelation, Sword Venerable Fudao truly was the Primordial Ancestor of the Li Family.

He began to look forward to the forthcoming great battle!

"Why don't you go see your Junior Brother Gu?" teased the ancestor's voice.

In his mind, Li Ya replied, "I'd rather not disturb him. I'm not ready to face him, but once I master the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, I will. Especially with the Supreme Sect about to launch the Golden List, I must make my mark at the Golden List conference!"

His tone was full of confidence.

After ingesting the Dragon Image Divine Primordial and learning the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword, his confidence was through the roof.

Seven steps away, another figure approached, also looking up at the Divine Statue of Sword Venerable Fudao.

Wu Jue!

He gazed at the Divine Statue of Sword Venerable Fudao, his eyes filled with sadness.

"Master, you respected Sword Venerable Fudao the most during your lifetime. It's a pity you won't witness the upcoming great battle," Wu Jue thought, standing silently with his thoughts drifting away.

Gradually, he began his path of enlightenment.

Li Ya watched for a good while and then turned to leave.

"Wait a moment!" the ancestor's voice suddenly rang out.