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

Li Ya had returned once again, bringing Gu An plenty of gifts—cultivation herbs, exotic magical artifacts from overseas. Just as Gu An was about to exchange pleasantries, Li Ya couldn’t be bothered with the formalities and simply leaped out the window, leaving Gu An in silent contemplation.

Yang sighed in admiration. This senior martial uncle was quite the character.

Though Li Ya seemed unreliable, his actions and words left a good impression on Yang Zhi.

Especially since Li Ya had previously vowed to protect him with his life—just for that, Yang Zhi fully accepted him as his martial uncle.

After spending some time in Xuan Valley, Gu An took Yang and the Blood Prison Great Saint to the Outer Sect City. With the Heavenly Rankings Tournament approaching, cultivators frequently streaked across the sky—not just from Taixuan Sect but also from across the land and seas.

Regardless of the tournament’s outcome, Taixuan Sect was bound to make an enormous profit this time. Gu An was quite curious about how much of the earnings would be allocated to the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path.

Days passed.

Five days later, the weather remained scorching hot, yet the Outer Sect City was packed inside and out due to the imminent tournament.

At the southern gate, an uncountable number of cultivators had gathered, forming a vast sea of people. The scene was grand beyond words.

Following their gazes upward, a massive battle platform hovered in the sky, encircled by seventy-two enormous banners. It spanned over a hundred miles in diameter, with a faint golden glow emanating from its base, forming a radiant golden stage that seemed to blot out the sky.

This was the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation, purchased by Taixuan Sect from the Starsea Sect Alliance at an exorbitant cost. Specifically designed for high-level cultivator duels, it consumed an astronomical amount of spiritual energy to maintain. It was rumored that Taixuan Sect had already begun channeling the sect’s underground spiritual veins to sustain it.

Every city and Medicine Valley under Taixuan Sect had formation arrays projecting a live feed of the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation. These transmission arrays weren’t particularly valuable, so even Xuan Valley had been outfitted with one, allowing all its disciples to watch the battles.

Third Medicine Valley

In the pavilion district, over nine hundred disciples had gathered. Some sat cross-legged on the ground, others on benches, all gazing at the sky-screen projection, eagerly waiting for the tournament to begin.

Though the duels had yet to start, excitement already buzzed among the disciples.

Gu An sat at a stone table, leisurely enjoying some refreshments. Yang, An Xin, Xiao Chuan, and You Yingying sat at the same table, engaged in a lively discussion about the tournament.

They mentioned many renowned cultivators, especially the powerful oceanic grandmasters who had made a name for themselves in the Three Dynasties Region over the past decade. Their presence had added an element of unpredictability to the tournament’s outcome.

These oceanic cultivators had temporarily taken residence in the region, leaving behind numerous opportunities and propelling the cultivation world forward. Many had also earned widespread admiration.

You Yingying brought up a particular oceanic grandmaster—Immortal Lord in Yellow Robes. He claimed to be the reincarnation of an immortal, possessing extraordinary divine abilities. The Starsea Sect Alliance had tried recruiting him, but he refused. His movements were elusive, rarely seen. What made him truly admirable was that he preferred mentoring those with mediocre talent.

She believed Immortal Lord in Yellow Robes had the best chance of seizing the number one spot in the tournament.

Xiao Chuan couldn’t help but grumble, “What are these oceanic grandmasters even doing here? Isn’t this just bullying?”

You Yingying replied, “The Three Dynasties may be weak, but the Seven Star Spirit Realm isn’t. Once its cultivators participate, they’ll naturally draw in other grandmasters looking to make a name for themselves. Of course, there might be other hidden agendas at play. This tournament is far from ordinary—too many powerful cultivators have arrived.”

An Xin nodded. “I heard there are five hundred registered participants, with half coming from overseas. The cultivators from the Three Dynasties only make up a third. Aside from Li Ya, the weakest competitor is at the Profound Mind Realm. Many cultivators backed out upon seeing the registration list, which led to this situation.”

Yang remained silent, gazing at the sky-screen projection, his eyes full of longing.

The title of ‘Number One in the World’—how captivating it was.

Gu An didn’t join their discussion. He understood the tournament’s level far better than they did.

Currently, there were five Scattered Immortals within Taixuan Sect, seventeen Nirvana Stage cultivators, and over a hundred Grand Ascension cultivators.

If nothing unexpected happened, the sects of the Three Dynasties Region wouldn’t even make it into the top twenty, let alone win the tournament. Their only hope was Li Ya, who controlled Divine Anomaly City.

Moreover, Gu An sensed the presence of a Roving Immortal lurking in the mountains outside Taixuan Sect. Their purpose remained unclear.

This tournament was no longer just about the strength of the Three Dynasties’ cultivation world.

Gu An, however, remained unfazed. If Taixuan Sect faced the threat of annihilation, he would intervene.

If not, then even if the sect lost, he wouldn’t step in. If they weren’t strong enough, they had to accept it.

At midday, the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation finally activated. The seventy-two banners trembled, radiating golden light that quickly coalesced into a towering palace—vast and translucent, allowing everyone outside to see the battles within.

”Today, the first Heavenly Rankings Tournament of Taixuan Sect shall commence!”

A powerful voice resonated across the entire sect.

”I am Lü Baitian, Sect Master of Taixuan Sect, and I hereby announce the tournament rules—only victory matters, but no fatal injuries are allowed...”

Lü Baitian’s voice carried through the sect via the formation screens, silencing the crowd.

Gu An turned to An Xin. “Get some more refreshments.”

An Xin quickly left to comply.

After Lü Baitian finished explaining the rules, he was about to announce the first match.

”The first battle will be between Cang Heaven Sect’s—”

Before he could finish, an overwhelming aura descended upon Taixuan Sect, cutting him off.

”Hold it!”

An ancient voice resounded through the heavens, shaking countless cultivators to their core.

Someone was intervening in the tournament?!

Even Yang and the others beside Gu An tensed up.

”Before the tournament begins, may I challenge the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path?”

”I am the Lord of Bluefall Island—Daoist Biluocheng. You may call me Biluocheng Zhenren.”

His words sent shockwaves through Taixuan Sect.

Someone dared to challenge the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path!

You Yingying frowned. “Biluocheng Zhenren? Why is he interfering? Has he pledged allegiance to someone?”

Xiao Chuan quickly asked, “What’s his cultivation level? Is he also an Immortal?”

You Yingying nodded. “Yes, but I don’t know his exact level. He’s far beyond someone like me. I’ve only heard rumors.”

At that moment, a figure appeared within the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation.

Countless cultivators looked up, watching his image projected across the sect.

He wore a blue robe, his posture tall and dignified. In his hand was a long staff, while his white hair was neatly bound beneath a jade crown. His face was old yet imposing. At the tip of his staff, blue flames blazed, coiling like dragons and serpents, exuding an aura of mystery.

Biluocheng Zhenren!

A profound pressure blanketed the sect, filling all who gazed upon him with instinctive reverence, as if they were mortals gazing at the boundless heavens.

On Heavenly Mending Platform, the high-ranking members of Taixuan Sect gathered—Lü Baitian, Ji Hantian, Ancestor Xuan Quan, and others.

Zuo Yijian stood beside the Heaven-Splitting Axe, his gaze sharp and hostile toward Biluocheng Zhenren.

This sudden challenge reeked of ill intent.

Yet Zuo Yijian wasn’t worried—in fact, he was excited.

It had been far too long since the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path had fought.

Would the legend finally reappear?

Though the legend of the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path endured, many overseas cultivators remained unaware of his true strength.

Lü Baitian narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation, his expression cold.

”As expected, someone has come to stir up trouble. The real question is—who sent him?”

If the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path refused to fight or lost, Taixuan Sect’s control over the tournament would be greatly weakened—perhaps even leading to its complete collapse. The sect would then be in mortal danger.

Ancient Grandmaster Gu Zong glanced at Lü Baitian and murmured, “Sect Master, this person’s name does not appear in the registration records.”

Lü Baitian nodded. He remained composed as he said, “Then let’s watch and see. It’s about time the overseas cultivators witnessed his power.”

The other high-ranking members of Taixuan Sect also showed expressions of anticipation.

For the disciples of Taixuan Sect, the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path was an unrivaled existence—a legendary figure who had personally shaped the sect’s reputation.

To the sect elders, however, he was much more than that.

He was the strongest cultivator they had ever witnessed.

Suppressing internal sect uprisings, slaying Demon Ancestors, executing immortals, eradicating cursed demons—these were not just stories but feats they had seen with their own eyes.

Third Medicine Valley

Even without looking at the expressions of the disciples around him, Gu An already knew he had no choice but to step forward.

He let out a soft sigh.

It’s been a while since I’ve drawn my sword.

Leaning back against the stone table, Gu An swirled the wine in his cup, a faint smile playing at his lips.

Yang Zhi had been watching his master closely. Noticing Gu An’s subtle change in demeanor, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Could it be…?

Was his master truly the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path?

For years, Yang Zhi had speculated about this. After all, no sect should be capable of hiding two figures so terrifyingly powerful.

His thoughts were interrupted by Biluocheng Zhenren’s voice, which once again echoed across the sect.

”Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path, are you afraid to show yourself?”

”Or do you simply look down upon me, a mere cultivator from a remote island?”

His mocking tone ignited outrage within the sect’s disciples. Any reverence they had felt toward his powerful aura was now overshadowed by anger.

They wanted their champion to respond—they wanted their hero to teach this arrogant outsider a lesson!

The Sky Darkens

Rumble—!

Dark clouds suddenly swirled overhead, the bright sky turning black in an instant. The once serene sea of clouds above Taixuan Sect began to churn violently.

Countless cultivators looked up in shock.

Inside the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation, Biluocheng Zhenren also raised his gaze, his expression darkening.

He let out a cold snort. With a flick of his wrist, his long staff trembled, unleashing an overwhelming force of law energy.

Two enormous azure dragons coiled into existence within the battle formation, their bodies stretching for over a hundred miles.

The sheer size of the dragons stole the breath of every cultivator watching.

Slowly, the two dragons raised their heads and let out deafening roars that reverberated through the heavens.

”It is said that the Sword Sovereign’s swordsmanship reigns supreme over the world. Let’s see if it can break my formation today!”

Biluocheng Zhenren’s voice boomed once more.

With a wave of his sleeve, dozens of magical artifacts shot forth, embedding themselves between the two dragons.

Wind and fire erupted around them, coiling along their bodies.

The dragons expanded even further, their massive heads piercing through the top of the battle formation, extending toward the sky.

Because the Luo Tian Pagoda Battle Formation had yet to fully close, Biluocheng Zhenren’s power could still spill out beyond its boundaries.

The Stars Descend

And then—

The thunderous storm clouds suddenly parted.

A vast, endless starry sky appeared above, revealing brilliant constellations that shone through the darkness.

In that instant, every living being—whether on the ground, in the sky, or even within the deepest mountains—found their eyes involuntarily reflecting the stars above.