Steadily becoming a saint, the immortal officials hired me to tend the horses
Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Gathering Spirit Divine Finger, You Are Mine

Fifty Elixir Formation Realm Cultivators?

Gu An naturally wouldn't refuse, after all, he could not always stay in the Third Medicine Valley; he immediately expressed his gratitude to the two from Gu Zong.

An hour later.

Only after that time did the two from Gu Zong leave; Gu An saw them out of the house.

After their departure, Elder Tian approached, curiously asking, "Valley Master, what did they want with you?"

In the past, Elder Tian wouldn't have asked; now not only had his cultivation level risen, but he also dared to inquire about significant matters concerning the Valley Master. It seemed like he was indeed making a comeback.

Gu An feigned hesitation, then shared the information he had learned.

The crimes of Chu Tianqi were exposed by the Demon Path, spreading wildly within the Supreme Sect; the five major factions of the Demon Path were preparing to join forces with the Demon Clan to besiege the Supreme Sect.

As he spoke of various deeds, combined with his worried expression, it was as if a great disaster was imminent for the Supreme Sect.

Elder Tian comforted him, "Valley Master, you need not worry too much. The Supreme Sect has stood on this land for thousands of years, surviving numerous dynastic changes. Historical records also mention several instances where they were besieged by the Demon Path but always managed to turn danger into safety."

Hearing his words, Gu An actually felt reassured.

"Indeed, if the sky were to fall, there would be a tall one to bear it. As for me, I'll just be at ease cultivating medicinal herbs and providing alchemy materials for the Sect; that is the only contribution I can make," Gu An said with a head shake and a wry smile.

Elder Tian nodded in agreement, smiling. He admired Gu An's nature.

"However, since the Demon Path is coming, the danger is still unavoidable. Valley Master, I have a set of finger techniques, sharp and tricky. If the enemy is careless, you might even be able to kill opponents above your own realm. Let me teach you," Elder Tian continued.

Gu An had never learned finger techniques before and was naturally interested; he couldn't help but curiously ask, "Elder Tian, why do I feel like you have a remarkable background, possessing so much knowledge and skill?"

"Haha, the old has merely lived long and naturally gained some insights."

Elder Tian laughed heartily, no longer appearing timid or shrinking as before. Gu An sensed the demeanor of a true Sect Leader in him.

Subsequently, Gu An followed Elder Tian into the nearby forests, as Elder Tian said, this technique could not be disclosed to others; he was making an exception by teaching Gu An.

After entering the forest, Elder Tian began to explain the formidable aspects of the finger technique.

Gathering Spirit Divine Finger!

This technique could accumulate Spiritual Power and Spiritual Energy at the fingertip, ready to burst forth. The longer the energy was compressed, the stronger the killing power; theoretically, there was no limit.

After listening, Gu An grew even more interested in the Gathering Spirit Divine Finger.

...

Gu Zong and Ji Hantian acted swiftly; two days later, fifty Elixir Formation Realm Cultivators had arrived, including Gu Yu, the son of Gu Zong.

Gu Yu was the first to visit Gu An's attic.

"You really have a lot of clout, to actually get the Gu Family and Ji Family to send twenty-five Elixir Formation Realm disciples each to protect you, and these aren't just Supreme Sect disciples, they're all from noble families," Gu Yu sat down and teased.

Gu An responded, "It's probably not to protect me but to protect this Medicine Valley. Does the Supreme Sect have any other Medicine Valley this large?"

"There are, but indeed, there aren't any in the Outer or Inner Sects; it's mainly because your identity as Pan An is valued by the higher-ups," Gu Yu explained.

"If it's because of the Pan An identity, wouldn't such pomp reveal me?" Gu An questioned.

"That's true as well," Gu Yu acknowledged.

In truth, Gu An felt the Supreme Sect wasn't protecting the Medicine Valley, but rather the seventh-order Spirit Tree within, the Mystic Pure Tree.

Gu Yu didn't press further on the matter, instead, he mysteriously produced a book, saying, "Gu An, you really need to take a look at this book; it's incredibly exciting and even includes illustrations!"

Gu An glanced at it and was speechless.

Supreme Secret Records!

Gu Yu had changed his focus, no longer asking about the latest situation with the Supreme Immortal Venerable.

Gu An felt an urge to leave the Supreme Immortal Venerable with a cliffhanger. He forcefully suppressed the annoyance he felt and took the Supreme Secret Records.

After briefly flipping through a few pages, he was captivated.

Goodness, Shen Zhen was actually stealing techniques!

The images even used manga-style action strokes, allowing one to imagine a whole set of movements, sparking a vivid train of thought.

He cleared his throat and closed the Supreme Secret Records, placing it in his chest pocket, "I'll read it later; the Demon Path is about to invade, and I'm really not in the mood for reading right now."

Gu Yu silently scorned him, saying, "That's true, but you better take good care of this book; the Supreme Sect is cracking down on it, and it's hard to replace these days."

"Don't worry," Gu An reassured.

After conversing briefly, the two descended from the attic.

Gu Yu flew to his assigned post, while Gu An began inspecting the medicinal herbs along the way.

The Third Medicine Valley was too vast; he could almost harvest every day, but he preferred to do it once a week—after all, even if the herbs were ripe, leaving them for a week wouldn't really affect them.

An hour later, Gu An was walking on a mountain trail when he felt the presence of Ji Xiaoyu. After hesitating for a while, he decided he should greet her.

Ji Xiaoyu had saved him, given him a Talisman Treasure and a Formation, and even provided a batch of medicinal herbs. It would be rude not to greet her.

After wandering for half an hour, Gu An eventually arrived at a mountaintop.

Ji Xiaoyu, clad in a purple robe, was meditating at the edge of a cliff, her back to the Third Medicine Valley, surrounded by a Formation that prevented Gu An from crossing.

"Greetings to the Third Miss," Gu An said with a bow.

He immediately launched a Life Span Detection.

[Ji Xiaoyu (Fifth Layer of Elixir Formation Realm):50/1400/8900]

The Fifth Layer of the Elixir Formation Realm!

She's progressing so fast!

With her back still turned, Ji Xiaoyu said, "You don't need to come to greet me in the future; you are the master of this Medicine Valley, so there's no need for such formalities."

"If Miss Ji has any needs, feel free to come to me at any time, or speak with the disciples of the valley," Gu An responded.

"Mm."

Ji Xiaoyu hummed in acknowledgement.

Gu An suddenly didn't know what to say next, so he prepared to take his leave.

Ji Xiaoyu suddenly said, "Ji Hantian is my great-grandfather. If he makes any excessive demands of you, you can come to me, after all, you're my person."

Gu An hurriedly replied, "The Vice Sect Leader has not treated me unfairly."

"I know him all too well. Ever since I was young, he has been using me for his schemes. Knowing that you're Pan An, he definitely won't give up the chance to use you. In the future, within the Supreme Sect, if you encounter anything you replace hard to refuse, you can use my name to get out of it."

Ji Xiaoyu's words brought a smile to Gu An's face.

Another pillar of support!

"Write another 'Investiture of the Gods,' I think the books you write are the best," Ji Xiaoyu said coldly.

So, a reader too?

Gu An agreed, saying he was already preparing it.

"You may leave."

Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately paid his respects and left.

...

At dusk, Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley. It was harvest day again, and he expected to gather a lifespan of five to six thousand years.

No sooner had he entered the valley than he felt a long-missed presence.

Li Xuandao!

Why was he here?

Wasn't it said that there was a demon upheaval in Changluo of Cangzhou?

"Valley Master, His Majesty has come. Hurry to the house and see him," Luo Hun shouted from halfway up the mountainside.

Gu An nodded at him then hurried toward the cluster of pavilions.

Li Xuandao was waiting inside his pavilion, with Lv Xian and Yi Liuyun keeping him company.

When Gu An entered, Li Xuandao showed a smile, gestured for Lv Xian to be quiet, and then smiled at Gu An. "Gu An, it has been a long time. Is your cultivation going smoothly?"

After bowing respectfully, Gu An said, "Naturally smooth. Thanks to the herbs your Majesty shared with me, I've reached the third layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm."

"Third layer isn't enough; you'll have to work harder. Once you've reached the Ninth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, I can assist you with Core Formation."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I will certainly strive for it."

As Gu An replied, he intentionally avoided looking at Lv Xian, who was glaring at him as if he wanted to eat him alive, his gaze filled with anger and resentment.

Despite teaching Gu An for so long, the latter had stubbornly learned nothing. If it weren't for the fact that Gu An only came once or twice a month, Lv Xian would have suspected that Gu An was deliberately tormenting him.

Li Xuandao signaled for Gu An to sit at the table, and without any pretense, Gu An sat down.

Lv Xian and Yi Liuyun stood while Gu An sat, which made Lv Xian even more resentful.

Li Xuandao looked at Gu An, assessed him, and then asked softly, "Has anything significant happened in the Supreme Sect lately?"

Gu An frowned, hesitated, and said, "I heard that the Demon Path is planning to besiege the Supreme Sect. There are also some unfavorable rumors circulating about the Sect Leader."

He detailed all that he had heard but did not mention his own Third Medicine Valley.

Once Gu An finished speaking, Li Xuandao's smile grew even wider as he said, "Chu Tianqi is arrogant and looks down on everyone. He even sees his own clan as pawns. It's not surprising that he would do such things."

"My moles within the Demon Path have also reported back that at the end of the year, the Demon Path will launch a full-scale attack on the Supreme Sect."

Gu An began to ponder Li Xuandao's attitude towards the Supreme Sect.

He asked in confusion, "Doesn't the Demon Path fear Sword Venerable Fudao? They say Sword Venerable Fudao is the number one Sword Cultivator in the world."

Li Xuandao shook his head, "Of course, they're afraid, which is why they have only made their move now. Sword Venerable Fudao's true identity has been revealed throughout the Demon Path. Although that person is strong, he isn't invincible."

That person?

Surprised, Gu An wondered who could be impersonating Laozi's renown.

Li Xuandao looked at Gu An again and said solemnly, "A major conflict between the righteous and the demonic is on the horizon. Ideally, I should have you evacuate, but Li Ya is still there, and I need you to keep an eye on the Supreme Sect for me. I've arranged for a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator to protect you; how about that?"

Gu An quickly thanked him and then said, "Uncle, actually, there's no need. I'm just an Outer Disciple, and the Demon Clan doesn't know about me. Arranging a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator for me might instead attract the attention of the Demon Clan's Great Cultivators."

"Don't worry, this person is skilled in the art of Energy Concealing, and even those far above her realm won't be able to detect her," Li Xuandao said with a wave of his hand.

Unable to refuse?

Gu An looked at Li Xuandao, weighing his options silently.

Li Xuandao continued, "You're my person, and I naturally can't afford to let anything happen to you. This person also has an excellent relationship with Li Ya. You can introduce her to Li Ya when the time comes."

Having said so much, Gu An naturally couldn't refuse.

An hour later, Gu An took his leave and began to pick the mature herbs.

From inside the house, Li Xuandao could see Gu An's diligent figure and he remarked, "This young man is steady in his work, which pleases me greatly. You must take good care of him."

Lv Xian couldn't help asking, "Your Majesty, are you admonishing me? I just want to know, who is more important to you between Li Ya and the Crown Prince?"

Yi Liuyun frowned but didn't stop Lv Xian.

Li Xuandao laughed and said, "Both are important. What are you worried about? Li Ya isn't even in Changluo, he can't threaten the Crown Prince, unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless Li Ya masters the Emperor-Level Sword Technique."