When I Achieved Sainthood, the Immortal Official Actually Called Me to Raise Horses!

Chapter 83: Spirit Gathering Divine Finger, “You’re Mine”

Fifty Core Formation cultivators?

Gu An naturally wouldn’t refuse. After all, he couldn’t guard the Third Medicine Valley by himself all the time. He immediately expressed his gratitude to Gu Zong and Ji Hantian.

Half an hour later, after seeing the two elders off, Gu An returned to the pavilion. Elder Tian approached him, curiosity written all over his face. “Valley Master, what did they want from you?”

In the past, Elder Tian would never have asked. But now, with his cultivation improving and his confidence growing, he seemed ready to make a comeback.

Gu An feigned hesitation before revealing what he’d learned: the demonic path had exposed Chu Tianqi’s crimes, rumors were spreading throughout the Taixuan Sect, and the five major demonic sects were preparing to join forces with the demon race to attack. He spoke with a worried expression, as if the Taixuan Sect were on the verge of catastrophe.

Elder Tian tried to reassure him, saying, “Valley Master, don’t overthink it. The Taixuan Sect has stood on this land for thousands of years, surviving countless dynastic changes. There are even records of it enduring multiple sieges by the demonic path and emerging unscathed each time.”

Hearing this, Gu An felt a bit more at ease.

“True. If the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up. I’ll just focus on growing good herbs and providing the sect with materials for alchemy—that’s the only contribution I can make.” Gu An chuckled and shook his head.

“Still, with the demonic path approaching, danger is inevitable. Valley Master, I have a technique I’d like to teach you. It’s a finger technique—sharp and unpredictable. If the enemy is careless, it might even allow you to kill someone above your level. Interested?” Elder Tian asked.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Gu An had never learned a finger technique before and was naturally intrigued. “Elder Tian, I get the feeling you’re not an ordinary person. You know so much and have so many skills.”

“Haha, I’m just an old man who’s lived long enough to pick up a few things.”

Elder Tian laughed heartily, no longer the timid figure he once was. Gu An could now sense the aura of a true sect master emanating from him.

Elder Tian led Gu An into a nearby forest, explaining that the technique was a closely guarded secret, and he was making an exception by teaching it to Gu An.

Once they were in the woods, Elder Tian began describing the technique’s power.

Spirit Gathering Divine Finger!

This technique allowed one to concentrate spiritual energy at their fingertips, compressing it for a more powerful strike. The longer the energy was compressed, the stronger the attack became—potentially limitless in theory.

Hearing this, Gu An’s interest in the Spirit Gathering Divine Finger grew even stronger.

Gu Zong and Ji Hantian acted swiftly. Within two days, fifty Core Formation cultivators had arrived, including Gu Zong’s son, Gu Yu.

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

“You must have quite the connections, getting twenty-five Core Formation disciples each from the Gu and Ji families to guard you. And these aren’t just Taixuan Sect disciples—they’re all from prestigious families,” Gu Yu teased as he sat down.

Gu An replied, “I doubt they’re here to protect me—they’re here for the Medicine Valley. Does the Taixuan Sect have another valley this large?”

“There are others, but none in the outer or inner sects. Mostly, it’s your identity as Pan An that’s drawing attention.”

“If it’s because of the Pan An identity, making such a spectacle will only expose me further.”

“True.”

In truth, Gu An suspected that the focus wasn’t on the Medicine Valley itself but on the Seventh-Grade Spirit Tree—the Sevenfold Purity Tree—within it. Ꞧ

Gu Yu didn’t dwell on the matter. Instead, he pulled out a book with a mischievous grin. “Gu An, you have to read this. It’s brilliant—and it has illustrations!”

Gu An glanced at the book and was speechless.

The Secrets of Taixuan!

Gu Yu had clearly shifted his focus and wasn’t even asking about the latest happenings with the Taixuan Immortal Venerable anymore.

For a moment, Gu An felt an urge to end the Immortal Venerable’s story abruptly. Stifling his irritation, he took the book, casually flipped through a few pages, and was immediately drawn in.

Good heavens! Shen Zhen is stealing techniques!

The illustrations were done in a comic-like style, depicting entire sequences of movements that sparked the imagination.

Clearing his throat, Gu An closed the book and tucked it into his robes. “I’ll read it later. With the demonic path’s invasion looming, I don’t have the mind for it right now.”

Gu Yu secretly rolled his eyes but said, “Fair enough. But keep it safe—this book is under strict scrutiny in the Taixuan Sect, and it’s hard to come by.”

“Don’t worry.”

After a brief chat, Gu Yu left to take up his station, while Gu An began inspecting the herbs along the valley.

The Third Medicine Valley was vast. While Gu An could harvest herbs daily, he preferred to collect them weekly, as they could sit mature for a week without issue.

An hour later, as Gu An walked along a forest path, he sensed Ji Xuanyu’s presence nearby. After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to greet her.

Ji Xuanyu had saved him, given him talismans, formations, and a batch of herbs. Not saying hello felt inappropriate.

After wandering for another half-hour, Gu An finally reached a mountaintop.

Ji Xuanyu, dressed in purple, was meditating at the edge of a cliff, her back to the Medicine Valley. Formations surrounded her, deterring Gu An from approaching too closely.

“Greetings, Third Young Miss,” Gu An said, bowing.

He discreetly cast a lifespan detection technique.

【Ji Xuanyu (Core Formation Stage, Fifth Layer): 50/1400/8900】

Fifth Layer already? That’s fast!

Without turning around, Ji Xuanyu said, “You don’t need to greet me in the future. You’re the master of this valley—there’s no need for formalities.”

“If the Third Young Miss needs anything, you can let me know anytime or inform the disciples in the valley,” Gu An replied.

“Understood.”

Ji Xuanyu’s response was brief, and Gu An suddenly found himself unsure of what to say. Just as he was about to excuse himself, she spoke again.

“Ji Hantian is my great-grandfather. If he ever makes unreasonable demands of you, come to me. After all, you’re my person.”

Gu An quickly responded, “The Vice Sect Master hasn’t made things difficult for me.”

“I know him too well. He’s used me for leverage since I was a child. Now that he knows you’re Pan An, he won’t pass up the chance to use you. In the future, if you encounter any difficult situations in the Taixuan Sect, feel free to use my name to refuse.”

Ji Xuanyu’s words brought a smile to Gu An’s face.

Another backer in the bag!

“Write another Romance of the Gods, would you? I think your books are the best,” Ji Xuanyu said suddenly.

A reader too, huh?

Gu An agreed with a nod, saying he was already preparing the next volume.

“You may go,” Ji Xuanyu said curtly.

Hearing this, Gu An bowed and left.

In the evening, Gu An arrived at Horizon Valley. Today was harvest day, and he expected to collect another five or six thousand years of lifespan.

As he entered the valley, a familiar yet long-absent aura washed over him.

Li Xuandao!

Why is he here?

Wasn’t he supposed to be dealing with the demonic chaos in Changluo of Cangzhou?

“Valley Master, His Majesty is here. Quickly, go meet him in the house,” Luo Hun called from halfway up the mountain.

Gu An nodded at him and briskly made his way toward the cluster of pavilions.

Inside his pavilion, Li Xuandao was seated, accompanied by Lü Xian and Yi Liuyun.

When Gu An entered, Li Xuandao smiled, raised a hand to silence Lü Xian, and addressed Gu An with a kind expression. “Gu An, it’s been a while. How has your cultivation progressed?”

After a respectful bow, Gu An replied, “It’s going well, Your Majesty. Thanks to the herbs you provided, I’ve reached the Third Layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage.”

“The Third Layer isn’t enough. You’ll need to work harder. Once you reach the Ninth Layer, I’ll help you form your core.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ll give it my all,” Gu An said earnestly, carefully avoiding Lü Xian’s gaze. Lü Xian, however, glared at him with a mix of anger and grievance.

Teaching this guy for so long and he hasn’t learned a thing. If he didn’t only visit once or twice a month, I’d think he was doing this on purpose.

Li Xuandao motioned for Gu An to sit at the table, and Gu An complied without hesitation. Lü Xian and Yi Liuyun remained standing, which only deepened Lü Xian’s frustration.

After a moment, Li Xuandao turned to Gu An, scrutinized him briefly, and then asked softly, “Any major happenings in the Taixuan Sect lately?”

Gu An frowned slightly and hesitated before answering, “I’ve heard that the demonic path plans to siege the sect and that rumors about the sect master’s misconduct are spreading.”

He recounted everything he had heard but deliberately omitted details about the Third Medicine Valley.

After Gu An finished, Li Xuandao’s smile widened. “Chu Tianqi is arrogant and dismissive of everyone—even his own kin are just pawns to him. It’s no surprise he’s capable of such things.”

“My contacts within the demonic path have also reported that the full-scale attack on the Taixuan Sect will take place by the year’s end.”

Gu An began to ponder Li Xuandao’s attitude toward the Taixuan Sect.

Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, “Doesn’t the demonic path fear the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path? They say he’s the world’s number one sword cultivator.”

Li Xuandao shook his head. “Of course they fear him. That’s why they’ve waited until now to act. However, the demonic path has uncovered the Sword Sovereign’s true identity. While he’s strong, he’s not invincible.”

That man?

Gu An was stunned. Someone else is taking credit for my reputation?

Li Xuandao looked at Gu An again, his tone serious. “The righteous-demonic war is imminent. By rights, I should have you withdraw from the sect, but with Li Ya still there, I need you to stay and keep an eye on things. I’ll assign a Nascent Soul cultivator to protect you. How about it?”

Gu An hurriedly expressed his gratitude but added, “Uncle, that won’t be necessary. I’m just an outer sect disciple. The demonic path doesn’t even know I exist. Assigning a Nascent Soul cultivator to me would only draw the attention of their grandmasters.”

“Don’t worry. This person is an expert in concealing their aura. Even those far above her level won’t detect her,” Li Xuandao said with a dismissive wave.

Can’t refuse, huh? Gu An thought as he scrutinized Li Xuandao, silently weighing his options.

Li Xuandao continued, “You’re one of mine, and I won’t let anything happen to you. Besides, this person is close to Li Ya. You can introduce them to each other.”

With things framed this way, Gu An had no choice but to agree.

An incense stick’s time later, Gu An excused himself and began harvesting the mature herbs.

From the pavilion, Li Xuandao could see Gu An’s diligent figure moving through the fields. He sighed and remarked, “This young man is steady and dependable. He’s won my favor. You two must take good care of him.”

Unable to contain himself, Lü Xian asked, “Your Majesty, are you admonishing me? 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.

Li Xuandao chuckled. “They’re both important. What are you worried about? Li Ya isn’t even in Changluo. He’s no threat to the crown prince. Unless…”

“Unless what?” Lü Xian pressed.

“Unless Li Ya masters the Emperor’s Extreme Sword Art.”