Steadily becoming a saint, the immortal officials hired me to tend the horses

Li Ya and Zuo Yijian could not remember how many years had passed since their last meeting, only that it seemed like a distant memory.

Their unexpected reunion in a foreign land, separated by millions of years, filled them both with deep emotions.

An Xin stopped, allowing the two to reminisce. Zuo Yijian, seeing the current Li Ya, was very pleased. He recalled that more than four million years ago, Li Ya was just an ordinary disciple of the Supreme Sect. At that time, An Hao and Wu Jue were the talents overshadowing him. Who would have thought that over four million years later, An Hao and Wu Jue had vanished without a trace, while Li Ya had become the number one sword cultivator in the world?

As a sword cultivator himself, Zuo Yijian naturally paid close attention to such a title.

During their conversation, he could sense the vast sword intent contained within Li Ya, which secretly startled him.

How did this kid cultivate?

He came to Wushi, bathing daily in the Dao intent of the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable, achieving his current accomplishments.

But compared to Li Ya, he felt that his own sword dao was insignificant.

Little did he know, Li Ya was equally shocked. He understood how Zuo Yijian could reach the Free Immortal Realm, but how could he also be so formidable in sword dao?

As they continued to talk, their excitement began to wane.

An Xin, Li Xuanyu, and Li Xianyou could clearly sense the change in their mood, creating a subtle atmosphere.

Eventually, An Xin took the initiative to speak, saying that Li Ya still had to see his master, and bid farewell to Zuo Yijian.

Watching the four of them leave, Zuo Yijian sighed, "How truly fortunate they are."

He had knelt for many years on the Heaven-Repairing Platform of the Supreme Sect to gain his current opportunity, while Li Ya's destiny changed the moment he stumbled upon Medicine Valley, where the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable lay in wait. How could he not be envious?

He remembered that in those days, Li Ya wasn't even the most outstanding in the Li Family, let alone in the Supreme Sect.

Zuo Yijian then thought of his son, Zuo Lin. Initially, Zuo Lin had a good relationship with Gu An, but over the years, they had gradually drifted apart.

Elsewhere.

Li Xianyou flew to Li Ya's side and asked curiously, "Master, do you bear a grudge against him?"

Li Ya gave him a sideways glance and said, "How could there be a grudge? I grew up with his son."

Sigh!

The Dao Heart is still not stable enough; even this could upset me?

Li Ya despised himself in his heart. How could he belittle others, especially his old acquaintance?

If it were Junior Brother Gu, he certainly wouldn't react this way.

With this thought, Li Ya's eyes regained their usual indifference. He decided that once he returned, he would cultivate his Dao Heart anew.

Li Xianyou, unaware of his master's thoughts, continued to ask about Zuo Yijian's identity. Li Ya didn't hide anything and recounted the past between Zuo Yijian and Gu An.

Knowing that Zuo Yijian had impressed Master Gu through years of persistence, Li Xianyou couldn't help but marvel at how fortunate both he and Li Ya were.

"Master, Junior Brother Gu really holds you in high regard. I'm even tempted to join the Wushi Sect now."

Li Xianyou's words didn't anger Li Ya; he knew the kid was intentionally teasing him.

Of course, if Li Xianyou could join the Wushi Sect, he would be happy as his master. But Wushi isn't a place he could decide on his own, nor does he have the face to ask Gu An, considering how much he owes him.

Soon after, the four of them descended onto the peak where Gu An resided. An Xin and Li Xuanyu signaled for them to enter the courtyard, then the two women disappeared.

Li Ya gazed at the courtyard gate, not daring to pry with his divine sense. To his surprise, he felt a bit nervous.

However, with Li Xianyou watching him, he had to maintain the demeanor of a master.

He straightened his back and walked towards the courtyard gate. Li Xianyou, watching his back, found it amusing.

Who would have thought Master could get so nervous?

Could Master Gu really be his junior brother? It felt more like he was his master's master.

As Li Xianyou thought, he followed behind Li Ya, suddenly feeling that his master's meeting with his junior brother would be interesting.

Entering the courtyard, Li Ya saw a large cauldron and a slender figure meditating in front of it. The figure's back looked familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

He didn't think much of it; seeing old acquaintances in Gu An's dojo was quite normal.

His eyes shifted to a figure under a big tree in the courtyard. That person was lying on a long chair reading a book, a posture that left him dazed.

He recalled how, over four million years ago in Profound Valley, Gu An also enjoyed lying down to read.

"Brother, why are you standing there daydreaming? Have you been severely injured recently, harming your mind?"

Gu An's teasing voice brought Li Ya back to reality.

For some reason, hearing Gu An's taunt relaxed him, as if their relationship had returned to the old days.

A smile appeared on Li Ya's face as he stepped forward and said, "How could that be? When have I ever been seriously injured?"

Seeing his master relax instantly, Li Xianyou grew more respectful towards Gu An.

Not only was Master Gu powerful, but he also empathized with others. Such a great power was truly the supreme being of the human world.

Eager to hear what his master and junior brother would discuss, Li Xianyou quickly followed.

Sunlight streamed into the courtyard, and birds flew out of the woods as if celebrating the heartwarming reunion of old friends.

...

Under the blue sky, an endless sea of clouds lay still, and an old tree stood at its zenith. A white-robed Daoist was meditating beneath the tree.

It was none other than Li Xuanmiao!

After attaining his immortal class and gaining celestial court destiny, his cultivation level had soared, now reaching the Innate Golden Immortal Realm, and it was still rapidly growing.

Though his position was now that of an Immortal Monarch, the Innate Golden Immortal Realm was still unqualified for an Immortal Monarch, so he hadn't started his immortal duties yet.

A rainbow of seven colors descended from the sky, landing seven steps away from Li Xuanmiao. A lean old man in purple, frail and thin to the bone but with bright, sword-like eyes, full of sharpness, appeared before him.

"Immortal Monarch Xuanmiao, I bear a decree from the Supreme. You are to go to the Divine Origin Immortal Palace to receive the Heavenly Dao Divine Weapon."

The old man in purple bowed respectfully, but his eyes scrutinized Li Xuanmiao up and down.

Li Xuanmiao opened his eyes, and the old man lowered his gaze.

"I understand. I will go shortly," Li Xuanmiao said, without immediately rising. His reincarnation projection was not fully retracted.

The old man in purple continued, "The Supreme also told me to remind you that if the Great Immortal Divine Yuan tries to recruit you, listen but make no promises."

"Alright."

Li Xuanmiao agreed. Though he had spent years cultivating in the celestial court, various immortals and gods frequently tried to recruit him, giving him an insight into the factional struggles within the celestial court.

The internal factions of the celestial court were more complex than he had imagined. Despite his Immortal Monarch status, he had to tread cautiously.

The gods and star monarchs likely had backings of even higher beings.

The old man in purple said no more, bowed, and disappeared.

Li Xuanmiao stood up, gazing at the sea of clouds, as if peering through to the cycle of reincarnation.

"Divine Origin Immortal Palace...Great Immortal Divine Yuan..."

Li Xuanmiao looked down at the Three Thousand Great Worlds, pondering how to contact his master.