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

Under Di Xie’s overwhelming presence, Zhou Ye ultimately chose to retreat with his men. However, before leaving, Zhou Ye still harbored hostility toward Gu An. Though not to the point of deep hatred, he was certainly displeased and wanted to teach him a lesson.

Afterward, Di Xie finally revealed his true identity to Gu An. Then, under Gu An’s shocked expression, he turned and walked away.

With countless disciples watching from both sides of the street, he let out a faint sigh.

From now on, it would be difficult for him and Gu An to remain friends. Their differences in status and cultivation were undeniable.

Even if he sincerely wished to maintain their friendship, wouldn’t Gu An feel pressured by it?

Di Xie chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Gu An, on the other hand, continued riding the Blood Prison Great Saint through the bustling streets. After wandering for nearly two hours, they finally left the city.

On the way to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An introduced the Taixuan Sect and various influential families to the Blood Prison Great Saint.

The Blood Prison Great Saint listened carefully. After all, Gu An had promised to release him in a thousand years. Once he was free, he would need to understand this world better—so he might as well start learning now.

“Do you know why I captured you?” Gu An asked casually.

The Blood Prison Great Saint wasn’t foolish—he figured it had something to do with those two half-human, half-demon beings.

“You may think this world is nothing special, but it is far more dangerous than you imagine. That’s also why I hide my cultivation. Serving me for ten years is not only to atone for your past but also to temper your mindset. You should cherish this opportunity,” Gu An said lightly.

If the Blood Prison Great Saint performed well, he wouldn’t mind teaching him the Innate Reincarnation Technique.

In a way, the Innate Reincarnation Technique and the Primordial Return Divine Path were a perfect match. He might as well experiment with the Blood Prison Great Saint to see if it worked.

“Mn…”

The Blood Prison Great Saint responded in a low voice. Though he couldn’t speak human language, Gu An could understand his submissive intent.

In truth, the Blood Prison Great Saint’s mindset had already changed. He had thought about it before—following Gu An might actually be a stroke of fortune.

At the very least, Gu An could be his backing!

Had it been another cultivator of the same level who subdued him, he might have already been dead.

Putting himself in Gu An’s shoes—if someone had harmed his disciples or juniors, he wouldn’t have shown mercy either.

There was an old saying among Spirit Realm grand cultivators:

”It is better to provoke the Blood Prison Great Saint himself than to oppress his juniors.”

The Blood Prison Great Saint walked at a steady pace, and Gu An did not rush him. As they traveled, Gu An spoke as if to himself, but the Blood Prison Great Saint never found it annoying.

For some reason, he felt that Gu An had changed.

Even a casual remark from him carried an indescribable sense of calm.

This wasn’t an illusion—he was certain it had something to do with Gu An’s cultivation.

Perhaps, if he continued following Gu An, he might truly learn something.

After the lively Spring Festival, Gu An resumed his peaceful life. During this time, the Zhou Family made no moves against him—perhaps deterred by Di Xie, or perhaps due to his connection with Lü Baitian.

Regardless, Gu An wasn’t concerned.

At this point, he no longer saw the Zhou Family as a threat. If Zhou Ye ever developed true killing intent toward him, he would eliminate him without hesitation.

Month after month passed. Gu An made routine visits to Inner Sect City to sell his medicinal herbs and accumulate spirit stones.

He had already located an even more prosperous cultivation city overseas and planned to purchase a large quantity of high-grade medicinal herbs to cultivate in his personal realm.

His days were busy but fulfilling—never dull.

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

Gu An was now ninety-seven years old.

In the northern regions, the demonic aura was becoming increasingly dense. Within a few years, the Dread Demon would likely break free.

Meanwhile, the World’s Number One Sword Dao Tournament was in full swing. Gu An was simply enjoying the spectacle.

In the same underground space where An Hao and Xuantian Yi once parted ways, Ji Xuanling stood at the edge of a cliff, staring down at the lava below, his brows tightly furrowed.

Several Seven-Star Spirit Realm cultivators stood behind him.

“Below should be the Dread Demon’s sealed location, right?”

“The demonic aura here is terrifying. We need the elders to handle it.”

“The message has already been sent. We’ll hold the area to prevent reckless cultivators from ruining the plan.”

“But when exactly will the Dread Demon break free? If it happens suddenly, we won’t be able to stop it…”

Ji Xuanling ignored their discussion. His gaze was fixed on a distant section of the cavern wall, where deep cracks spread across the surface.

These cracks told a story—one of an intense battle in the past.

Among them, one particular crack made Ji Xuanling frown.

”Could it be… him?” he wondered, thinking of Xuantian Yi.

He had fought Xuantian Yi countless times and knew his combat style well.

The idea that Xuantian Yi had died here inexplicably irritated him.

”Wait… the seal isn’t broken yet. Then how was there a battle here? Was someone trying to stop Xuantian Yi? But who could’ve arrived here before the Seven-Star Spirit Realm?”

A terrifying thought formed in Ji Xuanling’s mind, making his expression darken.

In a grand hall, An Hao stared intently at Lü Baitian, who sat at the head seat.

Lü Baitian, too, had a grave expression.

“Master, what should we do?” An Hao asked, feeling a strong sense of unease.

Contrary to his expectations, Lü Baitian wasn’t enraged but remained silent.

“Senior Xuan is our sect’s only known Grand Ascension cultivator! We can’t abandon him!” An Hao gritted his teeth.

Lü Baitian met his gaze and said, “You said it yourself—he’s the only one. If even he can’t win, how can we fight?”

“Unless the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path intervenes… but we have no idea where he is. Are we supposed to beg him for help over a single person?”

An Hao’s face twisted with uncertainty.

The night he fled, he had tried calling out to his master for help but received no response. He had assumed his master didn’t want to get involved.

After that, he never tried reaching out again—he had simply rushed back to the Taixuan Sect.

His master wouldn’t intervene. The sect wouldn’t either.

What should he do?

And the worst part was—he couldn’t blame anyone.

If he were strong enough, he wouldn’t need to beg for help!

The Taixuan Sect had countless disciples—it couldn’t risk them all for one person.

Even his master owed him nothing—he owed nothing to the sect. Why should he keep cleaning up after him?

An Hao suddenly had a thought. He turned around and removed his robe, revealing his back.

“This was left by Senior Xuan—it seems to be some kind of restriction. My divine sense can’t see through it.”

Lü Baitian’s eyes widened in shock. He instantly appeared behind An Hao, gripping his shoulders tightly.

“…So that’s how it is.”

Hearing his words, An Hao was puzzled but didn’t interrupt his master’s study of the seal.

By mid-autumn, the World’s Number One Sword Dao Tournament concluded. The champion was a Grand Sword Cultivator from the Gu Family, with Di Xie placing second.

Gu An had watched their final battle. If Di Xie hadn’t insisted on using only his sword, he might not have lost.

Though he was in the Profound Mind Realm, his swordsmanship was still too immature.

The tournament captivated the entire cultivation world, and the Taixuan Sect profited greatly.

Two months later, a surge of demonic energy erupted in the northern lands—as terrifying as the aura of the Demon Ancestor from before.

The world trembled.

In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An stopped harvesting herbs and turned his gaze northward.

The Blood Prison Great Saint also looked over, his heart pounding.

”What terrifying demonic energy!”

”This world truly hides unfathomable dangers!”

Meanwhile, Gu An merely glanced at it—then resumed picking herbs.

The Blood Prison Great Saint stared at him in awe.

”Come to think of it… I still don’t know just how strong Gu An truly is.”