Saint Who Lay Low

Fifty Core Formation cultivators?

Gu An certainly wouldn't refuse such protection. After all, he couldn't always stay in the Third Medicine Valley. He immediately expressed his gratitude to Gu Zong and Ji Hantian.

Half an hour later, Gu Zong and Ji Hantian finally departed, and Gu An escorted them out of the room.

After they left, Elder Tian approached him with curiosity and asked, "Valley Master, what did they want from you?"

In the past, Elder Tian wouldn't have dared ask such questions. But now, with his cultivation steadily increasing, he was becoming bolder, as if preparing for a grand comeback.

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

He revealed that Chu Tianqi's crimes had been exposed by the demonic path, which was now spreading like wildfire through Tai Xuan Sect. The five major demonic sects were preparing to join forces with the demon race to siege Tai Xuan Sect.

As he spoke, his expression conveyed deep concern, as though a great calamity was about to befall Tai Xuan Sect.

Elder Tian reassured him, "Valley Master, there's no need to worry. Tai Xuan Sect has stood strong on this land for thousands of years, surviving countless dynastic changes. There have been many recorded instances of demonic sieges, but we've always found a way to overcome them."

Hearing these words, Gu An felt a bit more at ease.

"You're right. If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. All I need to do is focus on growing medicinal herbs, providing the sect with the materials for alchemy. That's the only contribution I can make." Gu An shook his head, chuckling.

Elder Tian smiled, clearly approving of Gu An's attitude.

"However, since the demonic path is coming, there's no avoiding danger. Valley Master, I know a finger technique that is both sharp and deadly. If your enemy is caught off guard, it could even allow you to defeat someone of a higher realm. Let me teach it to you." Elder Tian continued.

Gu An had never studied finger techniques, so his interest was piqued. He asked curiously, "Elder Tian, I can't help but feel that your background isn't simple. You know so much, and you seem to have many hidden talents."

"Haha, I'm just an old man who's lived long. Naturally, I've picked up a few things." Elder Tian laughed heartily, exuding confidence and no longer showing the timid demeanor of the past. Gu An could now sense the presence of a true sect master within him.

Elder Tian then led Gu An into a nearby forest, explaining that this finger technique couldn't be shared with outsiders and that he was making an exception by teaching it to Gu An.

Once they were in the forest, Elder Tian began explaining the intricacies of the finger technique.

Divine Finger Of Spirit Gathering!

This technique gathered spiritual power and energy into the finger, building up strength. The longer one compressed the energy, the more powerful the attack became. In theory, there was no upper limit to its destructive potential.

The more Gu An heard, the more intrigued he became by Divine Finger Of Spirit Gathering.

Gu Zong and Ji Hantian moved quickly. Just two days later, fifty Core Formation cultivators arrived, including Gu Yu, Gu Zong's son.

Gu Yu was the first to visit Gu An in his pavilion.

"You've got some serious connections, to have both the Gu and Ji families send twenty-five Core Formation cultivators to protect you. These aren't just any Tai Xuan Sect disciples, but members of noble families." Gu Yu teased as he sat down.

Gu An replied, "I doubt they're here to protect me. They're protecting this valley. Are there other medicinal valleys as large as this one in Tai Xuan Sect?"

"There are a few, but none this big in either the inner or outer sects. It's likely because of your identity as Pan An that they're taking such measures."

"If it's really because of Pan An's identity, isn't all this attention just exposing me?"

"True."

In fact, Gu An believed that what they were really protecting was not the valley itself, but the Seventh-Tier Spiritual Tree, the Xuanqing Tree, that grew within it.

Gu Yu didn't dwell on the topic for long. Instead, he mysteriously pulled out a book. "Gu An, you have to see this. It's incredible! It even has illustrations!"

One glance at the book and Gu An was speechless.

Tai Xuan Secrets!

Gu Yu had changed his focus and wasn't asking about Tai Xuan Immortal Lord anymore.

Gu An felt an overwhelming urge to just give Tai Xuan Immortal Lord's story a horrible ending. But he held back his irritation and took the book from Gu Yu.

After flipping through a few pages, he couldn't help but be drawn in.

Turns out, Shen Zhen had secretly learned from him!

The illustrations were done in a style resembling comic book movements, with each picture evoking the entire sequence of actions, leaving much to the imagination.

Gu An cleared his throat, quickly closed the book, and tucked it into his robe. "I'll look at it later. With the demonic path about to invade, I don't have the headspace for this right now."

Gu Yu rolled his eyes but said, "Fair enough. But keep it safe. Tai Xuan Sect has been cracking down lately, and it's hard to get a copy."

"Don't worry."

After a few more words of conversation, they headed downstairs.

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

The Third Medicine Valley was vast, and he could harvest herbs nearly every day. But he had a habit of harvesting once a week, knowing that even fully matured herbs wouldn't spoil within that time.

After an hour of walking, Gu An sensed Ji Xiaoya's presence. After some hesitation, he decided to go and pay his respects.

Ji Xiaoya had saved him, given him talismans and formations, and even sent him a batch of medicinal herbs. It wouldn't be right not to greet her.

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

Ji Xiaoya, dressed in purple, was sitting cross-legged at the edge of a cliff, facing away from the Third Medicine Valley. A formation had been set up around her, making Gu An wary of crossing the boundary.

"Greetings, Third Miss." Gu An clasped his hands in respect.

He immediately cast a lifespan investigation.

[Ji Xiaoya (Core Formation Stage Level 5): 50/1400/8900]

Core Formation Stage Level 5!

That was quick!

Without turning around, Ji Xiaoya said, "From now on, there's no need to greet me like this. You're the master of this valley. No need for such formalities."

"If you need anything, feel free to ask me or any of the disciples in the valley," Gu An replied.

"Alright."

Ji Xiaoya responded curtly.

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

Just then, Ji Xiaoya spoke again, "Ji Hantian is my great-grandfather. If he ever makes unreasonable demands of you, come to me. After all, you belong to me."

Gu An quickly replied, "The Vice Sect Master has never made things difficult for me."

"I know him too well. He's used me to further his own influence since I was a child. Now that he knows you're Pan An, he certainly won't give up on using you. In the future, if you ever find yourself in a difficult situation in Tai Xuan Sect, feel free to use my name to refuse."

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

Another powerful backer!

"Write another volume of Investiture of the Gods. I think your stories are the best." Ji Xiaoya said abruptly.

So, she's a reader too?

Gu An nodded, saying that he was already working on it.

"Go on, then."

With that, Gu An bowed and quickly left.

By evening, Gu An arrived at Tianya Valley. Today was harvest day, and he expected to gain another five or six thousand years of lifespan.

As soon as he entered the valley, he sensed a familiar presence.

Li Xuandao!

What was he doing here?

Wasn't Changluo in the midst of a demon uprising?

"Valley Master, His Majesty is here. Please go to the pavilion to meet him," Luo Hun called out from halfway up the mountain.

Gu An nodded and quickly made his way to the pavilion complex.

Li Xuandao was waiting in Gu An's pavilion, accompanied by Lu Xian and Yi Liuyun.

When Gu An entered the room, Li Xuandao smiled warmly. He gestured for Lu Xian to stop talking, then addressed Gu An, "Gu An, it's been a while. How has your cultivation progressed?"

After respectfully saluting, Gu An replied, "Everything has gone well, thanks to Your Majesty's generous supply of herbs. I've already reached the third level of the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Level three isn't enough. You need to keep working. Once you reach level nine, I'll help you form your core."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will continue to work hard."

As Gu An spoke, he deliberately avoided looking at Lü Xian, who was glaring at him with a mix of anger and frustration.

After teaching Gu An for so long, Gu An had failed to learn anything. If Gu An hadn't only visited once or twice a month, Lü Xian would have suspected that Gu An was deliberately toying with him.

Li Xuandao gestured for Gu An to sit at the table, and Gu An did so without hesitation. Lü Xu and Yi Liuyun remained standing, further stoking Lü Xian's indignation.

Li Xuandao then asked, "Has anything significant happened in Tai Xuan Sect recently?"

Gu An frowned slightly, hesitating before replying, "I've heard that the demonic path is planning to attack Tai Xuan Sect, and there are rumors circulating about the Sect Master's misconduct."

He relayed all the information he had heard but made no mention of the Third Medicine Valley.

When Gu An finished, Li Xuandao's smile grew even wider. He said, "Chu Tianqi has always been arrogant, looking down on everyone. Even his own family members are nothing more than pawns to him. I wouldn't be surprised if he's done all those things."

"My people within the demonic path have confirmed that by the end of the year, they will launch an all-out attack on Tai Xuan Sect."

Gu An began to ponder Li Xuandao's attitude toward Tai Xuan Sect.

Perplexed, Gu An asked, "But aren't they afraid of the Sword Master of the Dao? He's said to be the greatest sword cultivator in the world."

Li Xuandao shook his head, "Of course they're afraid. That's why they've delayed their attack for so long. However, the Sword Master's true identity has already spread within the demonic path. While he's strong, he's not yet invincible."

That person?

Gu An was stunned. Someone was impersonating him?

Li Xuandao then looked at Gu An with a serious expression and said, "The war between the righteous and the demonic paths is inevitable. Technically, I should have you withdraw, but with Li Ya still there, I need you to help me keep an eye on Tai Xuan Sect. I'll assign a Nascent Soul cultivator to protect you. How about that?"

Gu An quickly expressed his gratitude but said, "Uncle, I don't think that's necessary. I'm just an outer sect disciple, and the demonic path doesn't know who I am. If you assign a Nascent Soul cultivator to protect me, it might draw the attention of their powerful cultivators."

"Don't worry. This person is highly skilled in concealing her presence. Even those far above her level wouldn't be able to detect her." Li Xuandao waved away his concerns.

So, there's no refusing this?

Gu An looked at Li Xuandao, weighing his options.

Li Xuandao continued, "You are one of my people, and I won't let anything happen to you. Besides, this cultivator has a good relationship with Li Ya. You can even introduce her to him."

With the conversation at this point, Gu An could only accept the arrangement.

After an incense stick's worth of time, Gu An excused himself and began harvesting the mature herbs.

From within the pavilion, Li Xuandao could see Gu An working diligently. He sighed, "This boy is steady and reliable. I'm quite fond of him. You two must take good care of him."

Lu Xian couldn't hold back any longer. "Your Majesty, are you trying to make a point? I just want to know: who's more important to you, Li Ya or the Crown Prince?"

Yi Liuyun frowned but didn't stop Lü Xian from speaking.

Li Xuandao chuckled, "They're both important. What's there to worry about? Li Ya isn't even in Changluo and poses no threat to the Crown Prince. Unless…"

"Unless what?"

"Unless he masters the Royal Extreme Sword Technique."