Saint Who Lay Low

"Teach me swordsmanship?"

Li Ya thought he had misheard, but the figure before him showed no signs of joking.

The voice of the old ancestor echoed in his mind, "Don't doubt it. With his level of cultivation, there's nothing on you worth scheming over. Even if he knew of the entire Li Family, it wouldn't matter. It's likely due to some personal connection—he feels some responsibility to look after you."

Gu An, holding the North Sea heavy sword, pointed it directly at Li Ya.

At that moment, Li Ya's heart nearly stopped.

As Gu An pointed the sword toward him, Li Ya felt suffocated. Before he could think further, a surge of sword intent burst from the tip of the heavy sword, instantly entering his eyes and freezing him in place.

Upon closer inspection, within Li Ya's pupils, a figure was performing sword techniques—the very movements of the Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword.

He had no idea how much time had passed.

When Li Ya finally came to, Gu An was nowhere to be seen. All that remained was the North Sea heavy sword standing firmly before him, unmoved by the autumn wind.

"Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword..."

Li Ya murmured to himself, his thoughts racing as his expression shifted drastically. He exclaimed, "That sword intent—it's the Sword Intent of the Sword Master of the Dao!"

Li Ya had once visited the Heaven Mending Platform, where he had experienced the sword intent contained within the word "Righteousness"—it had left an unforgettable mark on him, as it was the most powerful sword cultivation he had ever encountered.

"Old Ancestor, that person just now—he was the Sword Master of the Dao! He's not a demonic cultivator!"

Li Ya was suddenly filled with excitement, clenching his fists in exhilaration.

The profundity of the Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword filled him with fervor, making him feel as if he had received an unparalleled legacy, something even more valuable than the Dragon Elephant Divine Essence.

If he could master the Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword, Li Ya was confident that he could dominate every other genius of his generation!

Li Ya reveled in this newfound exhilaration for quite a while before noticing the silence from the old ancestor. Growing anxious, he asked in his mind, "Old Ancestor? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Fear began to creep in—had the Sword Master of the Dao taken the old ancestor away?

Despite often bickering with his old ancestor, Li Ya knew he wouldn't have the confidence to survive in the cultivation world without him.

"I'm still here," the old ancestor finally replied, his voice calming Li Ya's fears.

But what the old ancestor said next left Li Ya even more confused. "The Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword is a sword technique from the Li Family. The Royal Extreme Sword Technique is merely a fragmented version of it…"

Li Ya was taken aback.

"No one in this era should know the Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword. In my lifetime, the technique had already disappeared. The current Royal Extreme Sword Technique was something I pieced together myself…" the old ancestor said, his tone growing somber.

Li Ya swallowed nervously, carefully asking, "Old Ancestor, what exactly are you saying? Explain it clearly!"

The old ancestor sighed deeply before replying, "He could be the ancestor of the Li Family. Perhaps that's why he has taken it upon himself to look after both you and me."

The ancestor of the Li Family?!

Li Ya's eyes widened in disbelief. He opened his mouth to say something, but words failed him. There was too much to process.

...

After guiding Li Ya, Gu An did not linger in the North Sea Mountain Range. He sped away, swiftly making his way back to the Tai Xuan Sect.

In a month, he would return to the North Sea Mountain Range to enhance one of his combat techniques.

Six months later, he would begin stockpiling a lifespan of ten million years!

Instead of heading directly back to the Xuan Valley, Gu An first visited one of the outer cities. In a good mood, he decided to take a stroll.

He arrived at the Heaven Mending Platform first. Over the years, the platform had remained a popular site, with many cultivators gathered, including more than five Void Crossing Realm experts. Among them was the Ghost Mother of the Ephemeral Flower.

The famed Sword Madman Han Ming of Great Yu was still present as well, continuing to mentor Zuo Lin. Under his guidance, Zuo Lin had made some small progress in his swordsmanship, giving him hope where once he had none.

Meanwhile, Zuo Yijian had already left. According to Zuo Lin, he had become engrossed in the Investiture of the Gods, convinced that he could find enlightenment for his sword path within its pages.

"Master!"

A cheerful voice called out from a distance. Gu An turned to see Zhen Qin, dressed in the Law Enforcement Hall's robe, hurrying toward him.

Gu An smiled as she approached, asking with a gentle smile, "How have you been lately?"

Zhen Qin, who had been following Ye Lan, seemed to be doing well in the Law Enforcement Hall, her cultivation steadily progressing.

"It's been fine, the usual," she said. "But Master, did you hear? Senior Brother Su Han has joined the Ephemeral Blossom Sect."

As she mentioned Su Han, her expression became worried.

Gu An replied, "Everyone has their own path to follow. There's nothing we can do—let him be."

He had tried to counsel Su Han before, even promising not to cripple his cultivation, but it had been in vain.

Since that was the case, Gu An could only respect Su Han's decision.

From now on, should Su Han encounter any problems, Gu An wouldn't concern himself. Unless Su Han was on the verge of death right in front of him, Gu An would only intervene out of compassion.

Zhen Qin sighed wistfully, "I wonder if we'll ever meet again in this life."

Gu An couldn't help but ruffle her hair, smiling. "You've really grown up, haven't you? Even learning how to lament the passing of seasons."

The two of them stood at the edge of the Heaven Mending Platform, chatting for a while longer before Zhen Qin had to continue her patrol. She bid him farewell.

Watching her leave, Gu An felt a wave of nostalgia.

In two hundred years, this girl would be gone.

Even as a Mahayana Realm cultivator, he couldn't change others' natural lifespans, and he wasn't interested in doing so. After all, reincarnation was the natural cycle of all beings. Interfering with someone's fate would only create attachments, and if things went awry, he would be the one to suffer.

For him, everything around him was but fleeting moments in his long life. What he pursued was eternal life, though he didn't avoid human connections. It was, after all, through relationships with others that life gained meaning.

After sweeping his gaze over the Heaven Mending Platform one last time, Gu An turned and left.

He headed toward the Pill Hall, and along the way, overheard many disciples discussing the Ephemeral Blossom Sect.

The sect's influence was growing stronger!

It seemed as though they were on the verge of uniting the entire demonic path.

Gu An didn't pay it much mind. The Ephemeral Blossom Sect posed no threat to the Tai Xuan Sect, and even if it did, it wouldn't be able to threaten him.

His primary concern remained how to increase the lifespan income from the Medicine Valley.

Even as a Mahayana Realm cultivator, Gu An had no desire to recklessly massacre others. He preferred accumulating lifespan through the cultivation of spirit herbs. He couldn't afford to be careless. After all, he wasn't entirely certain he was invincible.

Reason told him that true invincibility was still far beyond his reach—Lu Lingjun, who had descended from another world, was proof enough of that.

This world was vast!

...

An hour later.

Gu An arrived at the Grand Elder Jiang Qiong's residence to pay her a visit. Jiang Qiong was home, and once he was inside, she waved her sleeve, closing the door.

Gu An presented the spirit herbs he had previously harvested. Without bothering to count them, Jiang Qiong simply waved her hand to store the herbs away, then looked at him and said, "I'm leaving."

Gu An was intrigued, asking, "Where are you going?"

"The Tai Xuan Sect is growing increasingly suspicious of me, and I can sense that danger is approaching. I'm planning to join the Ephemeral Blossom Sect," Jiang Qiong said calmly.

The Ephemeral Blossom Sect again!

What exactly is their background?

After a moment of thought, Gu An took out several Ancient Vine Fruits from his storage pouch and offered them, "Take these with you."

Jiang Qiong glanced at the fruits on the floor and smiled knowingly, "You didn't keep any for yourself?"

Ancient Vine Fruits weren't something that could be cultivated quickly. For Gu An to offer so many meant he hadn't been consuming any himself.

"My aptitude is average. Enhancing my vitality too much would only draw unwanted attention and invite disaster. I'd rather remain ordinary," Gu An replied, shaking his head.

Jiang Qiong chuckled, "You really are content with so little. Average aptitude, you say? But isn't your swordsmanship comprehension quite exceptional?"

"I don't like swordsmanship, and I don't want to be a swordsman. Imagine if you found me a master—a cultivator with peerless swordsmanship but stuck at the Foundation Establishment Realm. How well would that go for me?" Gu An replied seriously.

Jiang Qiong found his words reasonable. In the world of cultivation, one's level of cultivation was indeed the most important thing.

She let the matter drop and said, "The Ephemeral Blossom Sect and Tai Xuan Sect are bound to clash. Once I've established myself within the sect, perhaps I'll come back for you in the future."

Another battle?

Gu An couldn't help but frown. Why was the Tai Xuan Sect so prone to calamities?

"This Ephemeral Blossom Sect isn't ordinary. It may be an external force. Half of the elders from the Thousand Autumn Pavilion have already pledged allegiance to them. Even while hiding in the Tai Xuan Sect, they managed to reach out to me. Their intelligence network is terrifying," Jiang Qiong remarked.

The reach of the Ephemeral Blossom Sect had already infiltrated the Tai Xuan Sect?

Gu An asked cautiously, "You didn't mention me, did you?"

"How could I? Given your level of cultivation, even if I mentioned you, they wouldn't care," Jiang Qiong replied, rolling her eyes.

Gu An smiled in response, his expression appearing somewhat naive in Jiang Qiong's eyes.

This foolish disciple…

Jiang Qiong shook her head, smiling, but deep down, she couldn't help but worry about his future prospects.

She offered a word of caution, "I've heard that the new Outer Sect Grand Elder is said to be quite ruthless. You'll need to be careful. Recently, the Law Enforcement Hall has been investigating you. Relying solely on your junior sister's protection may not be enough. When you visit the Eight Views Heavenly Cave, be more vigilant, and try to avoid selling more Ancient Vine Fruits."

Gu An nodded, "I'll keep that in mind."

After chatting for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Gu An bid Jiang Qiong farewell and left.

Upon leaving the Grand Elder's residence, Gu An made his way back to the Xuan Valley.

...

Autumn passed into winter, and soon, snow began to blanket the Xuan Valley.

One day, the Xuan Valley welcomed a guest.

Gu An received the visitor in his pavilion.

"The Sect Master has already instructed me—if you encounter any trouble in the Outer Sect, you can come straight to me for help," Lü Songhan said with a broad, enthusiastic grin.

This was the newly appointed Outer Sect Grand Elder.

Though Lü Songhan's hair was white, his face didn't show any signs of aging, and his smile made him seem like a harmless giant.

Despite his warm demeanor, Lü Songhan was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. According to Jiang Qiong, he was a tough and dangerous figure.

Gu An raised his cup and smiled, "I'll have to trouble Elder Lü with that, then."

The two continued to chat and drink, growing more comfortable in each other's company, eventually even referring to one another as brothers.

By noon, Gu An finally escorted Lü Songhan out.

After he left, Yang Ni suddenly appeared by Gu An's side like a ghost, marveling, "You're getting more impressive by the day, even making Nascent Soul cultivators call you brother."

Gu An shrugged, "You can call me Brother Gu too."

"Looking for a beating?"

Yang Ni glared at him, half-drawing her sword.

Gu An cleared his throat, "I've heard that the Ephemeral Blossom Sect is on the rise. You should stay vigilant in the Xuan Valley and make sure they don't try to steal our spirit herbs."

Hearing this, Yang Ni nodded slightly.

Gu An turned and left, and Yang Ni watched as he stepped onto a teleportation platform.

"Strange, why did he suddenly mention the Ephemeral Blossom Sect? Could he have figured out my identity?" Yang Ni thought, frowning.