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

"What secret technique?" Gu An asked expectantly. He had already learned many spells from Jiang Qiong, but as far as spells were concerned, the more the merrier.

Once Jiang Qiong left, it would be hard for him to encounter such a devoted Martial Master again.

Jiang Qiong took a bite of a big chicken leg and said proudly with a smile, "One of the nine great secret techniques of the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion, the Demon Shadow Divine Skill!"

The Demon Shadow Divine Skill?

It sounded...

Gu An frowned and asked, "Is this a cultivation technique?"

He wasn't lacking in cultivation techniques. If he changed techniques and started over, he would have to cultivate his spiritual power from scratch, and he didn't want to waste his lifespan.

Jiang Qiong said vaguely with his mouth full of chicken, "I already told you, it's a secret technique. The Demon Shadow Divine Skill will allow you to better infiltrate as a spy. You'll see soon enough."

A twitch appeared on Gu An's face.

I don't want to be a demon path's spy!

Forget it, I'll just get through Jiang Qiong's visit. In the future, I will speak to others as needed and craft my identity however necessary while roaming the pugilistic world.

...

The following day at noon, Gu An was reading under a tree when seven steps away, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were practicing their swordsmanship with graceful movements. Unfortunately, they could not attract Gu An's attention.

"Big senior brother, Martial Uncle Li Ya is here!"

Xiaochuan ran up and informed him, followed by a person—Li Ya himself.

Gu An immediately got up, tucked 'Green Hero Travelogue' into his bosom, and walked towards Li Ya.

"The people in the pavilion said," Li Ya started.

Gu An nodded, then led him upstairs.

Zhen Qin ceased her sword practice and looked anxiously at Ye Lan, "Martial Uncle Ye, Martial Uncle Li Ya couldn't be here because of those two demon cultivators from yesterday, could he?"

"Perhaps," Ye Lan replied softly, glancing back.

Inside the room.

Gu An and Li Ya sat opposite each other. While pouring tea for Li Ya, Gu An asked, "What's wrong?"

Li Ya began to speak, "I'm planning to stay in Mystic Valley for half a year. Is that okay?"

"Of course, that's fine. You can stay as long as you like. Have you encountered some trouble?" Gu An readily agreed and kindly inquired further.

Li Ya hesitated for a moment but still decided to talk about his experience from the day before. It might motivate Junior Brother Gu to cultivate more diligently due to the pressure.

After listening, Gu An's eyes widened in shock, "Those two are dead? Won't the Wanyin Sect cause trouble?"

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Li Ya huffed, "He attacked Li Xuanyu and me. If anyone's going to cause trouble, it will be the Supreme Sect against the Wanyin Sect. Besides, the imperial court will also pressure the Wanyin Sect because Li Xuanyu is my father emperor's most beloved daughter."

Gu An asked in surprise, "Then why would they dare to make a move on Elder Li?"

"Xu Ruye and Chan Ji commit all kinds of evil and are unscrupulous. Chan Ji and Li Xuanyu had a fallout in Yecheng City. Naturally, they wouldn't let the chance slip to attack when Li Xuanyu was alone. And..."

Li Ya spoke disdainfully. But in the end, he held back.

"And what?"

"Nothing."

Gu An felt like hitting someone, then speak the whole sentence or do not mention 'and' at all!

Li Ya looked at Gu An and asked, "Have you seen anyone else passing by Medicine Valley from yesterday to today?"

Gu An shook his head.

"You might not have seen, but if that Nascent Soul Realm elder hadn't acted yesterday, Li Xuanyu and I would've been in great peril. That elder's sword dao was truly terrifying. Plucking leaves to kill enemies, those at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm were like vegetables in the field before him, easily killed with a single leaf..."

As Li Ya spoke of the previous day's battle, he became visibly excited, beginning to depict the scene.

Gu An's eyes widened, occasionally drawing in a breath of cold air as if he was listening to a myth.

The Nascent Soul Realm elder had thrown just two leaves, yet Li Ya used all the vocabulary he had to describe the event with great enthusiasm.

"Sword cultivators should indeed be so, undefeated with or without a sword. Everything in the hand becomes a sword, even for me… In short, senior brother, I believe I have found my path. From now on, I will focus on practicing swordsmanship and delve into the Sword Dao..."

Li Ya showed a look of yearning, and Gu An nodded, secretly thrilled inside.

Brother, the esteemed elder you are praising to the skies is right in front of you; it's just that your cultivation is too shallow to see through it!

Gu An interrupted Li Ya's reverie and asked, "Why doesn't the sect send disciples to patrol or protect us servant disciples during the grand event of the Outer Sect World?"

Around Mystic Valley, there were at least six residences of Outer Disciples within a fifty-mile radius. Although most weren't at their caves, a simple order from the sect would surely bring someone.

Li Ya's smile faded, and he said gloomily, "Think about it—why are there people in the sect who dare to keep a Demon of Greed outside the Outer Sect? Isn't it because the sect does not value servant disciples? But don't worry, I will stay until the end of the Outer Sect World event."

Gu An fell silent for a moment before asking, "Aren't you participating?"

"My cultivation level isn't sufficient. Rashly participating would only lead to injury. Such a grand occasion is surely the world of those at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm," Li Ya shook his head.

This response made Gu An look at him in a new light; he seemed quite self-aware.

Of course, it might also be because the blow from Xu Ruye was too big.

The two chatted for a while longer before coming downstairs. Gu An had Xiaochuan and Tang Yu help clear an area for Li Ya to reside alone.

Knowing that Li Ya would stay for half a year, everyone in the valley was happy. Firstly, they would have someone to protect them; secondly, they could learn swordsmanship from Li Ya.

In their eyes, everything about Gu An was great except that he knew too few spells to guide them. Li Ya was different—he was a bona fide Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator!

In the days that followed, cultivators often flew over Mystic Valley on their swords. Gu An also saw many flying artifacts and demon beast mounts, involuntarily sighing in his heart.

This is the world of immortal cultivation!

...

A month later, deep into the night.

Jiang Qiong leaned against the Green Vine Tree, her right leg swinging idly, a pale, delicate calf peeking out from beneath the hem of her dress, gleaming brightly. She held a book in her hands, casting glances towards Gu An in the distance, who was picking medicinal herbs.

Suddenly, she flipped to her feet, the book flying into the pendant around her neck. She stretched, extending her body in a long yawn.

"Good disciple, stop your work for now and practice the Demon Shadow Divine Skill," she said.

Jiang Qiong called out as she leapt gracefully, landing in front of the Pill Furnace. Inside the furnace, the elixir was being concocted, with plumes of white smoke rising from under the lid.

Without turning his head, Gu An replied, "It's alright, I'll be done soon."

Jiang Qiong shook her head with a chuckle, thinking to herself, "This kid is really industrious, truly commendable. I should refine some elixirs for him."

Half an incense stick's time later.

Gu An brought the gathered herbs over to Jiang Qiong's side, arranging them meticulously by type on the ground, which filled her with even greater satisfaction.

This child really is beyond reproach!

Gu An had just reaped over thirteen hundred years of lifespan, leaving him in a rather good mood. Such fruitful opportunities do not come easily.

"Continue your practice, and if there's anything you don't understand, ask me at any time," Jiang Qiong instructed softly, still watching the Pill Furnace.

Gu An nodded, then began cultivating the Demon Shadow Divine Skill, which he had practiced for a month without it entering his Attribute Panel, much to his irritation.

He had to master it now!

The Eight Scenic Caves fell into tranquility, with Gu An and Jiang Qiong meditating near the Pill Furnace, their figures shrouded in the hazy elixir smoke.

Four more days passed, and the Demon Shadow Divine Skill finally appeared on Gu An's Attribute Panel.

He looked at his Attribute Panel, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

[Name: Gu An]

[Lifespan: 27/12268]

[Spirit Root: First-rate Five Elements Spirit Root (Wood, Earth Attributes more prominent)]

[Cultivation Level: Nascent Soul Realm Eight Layers]

[Cultivation Techniques: Fire Control Art (Unmastered), Divine Wood Pure Yang Skill (Mastery), Dragon Strength Divine Primordial Skill (Mastery), Alchemy (Initial Insight), Myriad Poison Mystic Skill (Unmastered), Yin Yang Art (Unmastered)]

[Ultimate Skills: Gale Shadowless Leg (Fully Integrated), Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword (Fully Integrated), Eight Directions Step (Unmastered), Demon Shadow Divine Skill (Unmastered)]

[Spells: Soul Capturing Skill (Unmastered), Sword Control Technique (Fully Integrated), Enchanting Eyes (Unmastered), Poison Wood Array (Initial Insight), Wind Control Skill (Unmastered), Corpse Control Skill (Unmastered)]

If it was on the Attribute Panel, it had to be real!

In just over five years, Jiang Qiong taught him eight cultivation techniques and spells.

Thoroughly responsible!

This also caused Gu An to see her in a new light; although she was a Demon Cultivator, her teaching attitude surpassed that of the Righteous Path.

Gu An stood up, bowed to Jiang Qiong, and said, "Martial Master, let's call it a night for now. I wish to go back and rest."

Jiang Qiong continued to meditate in front of the Pill Furnace, surrounded by swirling Demonic Qi. Without opening her eyes, she replied, "After you go back, focus on cultivating. I can only continue to nurture you for at most another two years before I leave."

Gu An didn't make a sound and turned to leave.

Jiang Qiong opened one eye, peering at his retreating back, and thought, "It seems this boy is a bit saddened. After all, where else could he find such a wonderful Martial Master like me? Observing his loneliness, when I return, I'll arrange for someone to take over my place, and have him continue to cultivate within the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion.

Then, I'll ask my father to find that man to impart the Sword Dao to him."

With his back to her, Gu An strode towards the cave entrance.

He barely restrained the joy in his heart, not letting himself burst into laughter.

At last, she was indicating she would leave!

Although Jiang Qiong treated him well, he was more eager to enjoy the Eight Scenic Caves alone.

Returning to the forest, Gu An didn't immediately head back to his building, but instead headed into the distance, ready to invest a year of his lifespan into his Cultivation Level.

He felt he was nearing the Ninth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, perhaps within the coming days.

Even if it seemed close, he remained restrained, investing just one year of lifespan daily.

Twenty li away, Gu An sat down in meditation under a tree, suppressing his aura to its lowest, almost indistinguishable from the surrounding flora.

He immediately invested a year's lifespan into his Cultivation Level, and Spiritual Energy surged towards him.

The nearby plants rustled as though cheering him on, wishing him an early breakthrough.

Soon, the flow of nature's spiritual energy returned to normal, indicating he had completed a year's Energy Absorption.

Gu An stood up, ready to depart, but as he was about to take a step, he sensed something and quickly hid behind a tree.

About four breaths later, the sound of breaking air approached, and two people flew over the space above Gu An's head.

Gu An's vision was extraordinary, capturing the figures of the two people, and he swiftly sent out two Life Span Detections.

[Zuo Yijian (Core Formation Realm Nine Layers): 142/490/980]

[Zuo Lin (Foundation Establishment Realm Second Layer): 27/280/1400]

Core Formation Realm Nine Layers!

Gu An was secretly curious about which Sect or clan these two individuals came from.

After they were gone, Gu An quietly returned to Mystic Valley.

The next morning, like usual, he led the disciples in drills, while Li Ya just greeted him, mentioning he needed to visit the Outer Sect.

It wasn't until noon that Li Ya returned, flying on his sword, bringing someone with him.

It was Zuo Lin, whom Gu An had detected the night before.