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

"After eight hundred years of arduous Path Enlightenment, consuming countless elixirs, once my cultivation succeeded and I achieved the Mystic Heart Realm, I could not escape the demon within my mind upon my life's end, I resent... resent..."

Gu An read this passage from the Nameless Book, his brow furrowing.

The resentment of Ancestor Xuan Tian leaped off the page, a resentment directed at the heavens.

He resented that the heavens had allowed him to achieve the Mystic Heart Realm, but before he could enjoy his accomplishment, a demon of the mind was born.

After reading, Gu An's first thought was of the ultimate life span.

It seemed that there was a kind of destiny trapping all beings, perhaps Ancestor Xuan Tian's ultimate life span was only enough to reach the Unification Realm, but he forced his way into the Mystic Heart Realm with an immense amount of resources. Yet, his life span did not extend and he ultimately faced upheaval from inner demons, confronting death?

The more Gu An thought about it, the more possible it seemed.

All cultivators striving for immortality are not just battling the heavens, but perhaps even fate itself.

Gu An believed destiny could be broken, and he himself was the prime example.

The ultimate life spans he saw might just be a reminder of the existence of fate.

Besides his ability to seize life spans, there certainly were opportunities in this world that could help others break through their ultimate life spans, though he hadn't seen them yet.

Precisely because immortality was so difficult to achieve, so many pursued it relentlessly, risking their lives.

Let's see if the Daoist Expansion Skill is effective; if it is, he could afford to sacrifice some of his life span to enhance it.

Gu An felt hopeful, as those with Wuxin tended to have life spans far beyond those of their peers in the same realm.

He continued reading; the subsequent sections chronicled the life deeds of Ancestor Xuan Tian, from joining the Supreme Sect to competing for the position of Sect Leader. It was like a novel; even brief descriptions could make one's thoughts wander.

After finishing the testament, he tossed the book into his storage bag and then picked up the manual for the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe to check.

The more he read, the more engrossed he became, his pupils seemingly reflecting a figure wielding a huge axe.

The Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe consisted of nine forms: severing life, demons, ghosts, mountains, seas, laws, immortals, gods, and heaven!

It sounded very domineering, but it remained to be seen whether it could truly sever immortals and heaven.

The nine forms were not nine levels but nine techniques. Ancestor Xuan Tian had mastered all nine before he succumbed to deviation. He encountered no match during his rampage across the Nine Immortal Sects, securing the Supreme Sect's reputation as the legitimate leader of the Taicang world.

However, he did not leave the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe in the Supreme Sect because it was a legacy of the Holy Land and could not be passed on to others. Being discovered by the Holy Land would lead to the removal of his cultivation level—a special note in his testament.

After skimming through it, Gu An tossed the manual into his storage bag as well.

He turned and walked into the derelict cabin, everything inside was dilapidated, the ground overgrown with weeds, and in the center of the room stood an axe, covered in dust.

He approached the axe, blew gently, and the dust immediately dispersed, revealing a black axe.

The Heaven-Cutting Axe, a supreme-grade magic artifact, also forged from North Sea Nether Iron, and it was million-year-old North Sea Nether Iron at that, heavier than Li Ya's North Sea Heavy Sword and able to withstand more Spiritual Power.

Gu An, gripping the Heaven-Cutting Axe, raised an eyebrow.

It's quite heavy!

Despite being a Mahayana Cultivator and having cultivated the Primordial Ruyi Skill, which gave him tremendous strength, even he could feel its weight, which showed just how heavy the Heaven-Cutting Axe was.

Forget using the techniques of the Heaven-Cutting Divine Axe, it seemed like just smashing it directly could kill someone.

Gu An lifted the Heaven-Cutting Axe and got serious, making it seem very light in his hands, easy to wave around.

He attempted to place the treasure into his storage bag, but it was repelled by the space restriction.

It won't fit!

Interesting!

Gu An immediately set the Heaven-Cutting Axe down and then checked around; there were no other valuable items in the cabin.

Immediately after, he stepped out of Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion and sealed the fissures on the rock wall. Now that he possessed the Five Elements Treasure Body with perfect Earth Attribute qualities, he could gather Spiritual Energy into earth.

After completely sealing the fissures, Gu An finally felt at ease.

From now on, this would be his cave mansion!

Gu An, his mood uplifted, the corners of his mouth turning up, stepped into the Mystic Heaven Cave Mansion again.

Time to reclaim the wild!

...

At the end of autumn, in the Third Medicine Valley, disciples were busy sweeping up fallen leaves.

Lu Lingjun suddenly looked up toward the horizon and saw a figure swiftly approaching.

Her eyebrows knitted slightly, a sense of alarm growing within her.

Unification Realm, Ninth Layer!

The newcomer was Lv Baitian.

Lv Baitian quickly flew to the loft where Gu An resided and then stepped on the stairs to go up.

Lu Lingjun withdrew her gaze, curious about the identity of the man.

Although Lv Baitian had visited the Third Medicine Valley multiple times, he had never revealed his true identity. When An Hao and An Xin talked about him, they always said he was a senior elder from the sect.

After entering the loft, Lv Baitian closed the door and set up a restriction to prevent prying eyes.

Gu An set down the book he was holding and asked with a smile, "Sect Leader, what brings you here?"

He stood up and went to brew some tea.

"No need for that, sit down, let's have a chat," Lv Baitian waved his hand as he walked to the table, drew a chair with a wave of his hand, and sat down.

Gu An sat down and asked, "What shall we chat about?"

What could I possibly chat with you about?

"Not the matter of taking disciples again!"

Gu An complained secretly in his heart, for he was a Mahayana Cultivator and could not possibly take a master.

"Let's talk about Li Xuandao," Lv Baitian began, his gaze fixed on Gu An.

Gu An asked in astonishment, "What about him?"

"Crown Prince Li Dai had his Golden Core taken, his Nascent Soul and Cultivation Level destroyed, and a Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm who was with him also died." Lv Baitian's words moved Gu An.

He was genuinely surprised.

The Law Enforcement Hall of the Supreme Sect had just left, and Li Xuandao struck?

Just entered the Void Crossing Realm and already able to execute a same realm opponent?

Impressive!

The means of a Great Cultivator in the Void Crossing Realm are numerous; even if unable to defeat an opponent, escaping should not be difficult.

Don't think that it's easy for Gu An to kill someone in the Void Crossing Realm; he pressurizes a lower realm with his higher realm, leaving no time for the enemy to flee.

Lv Baitian asked, "Does Li Xuandao have a Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm by his side?"

With a sense of resignation, Gu An replied, "Whether he has one or not, I can't tell."

Lv Baitian paused, considered the logic, and his expression softened.

"With the Crown Prince dead, the Supreme Sect can only support Li Ya. The imperial throne must be held by a prince of the Supreme Sect, but unfortunately, Li Ya has been away and hasn't returned for many years," Lv Baitian sighed.

"If it weren't for the imminent attack of the Ephemera Sect, I would really like to depose Li Xuandao."

Gu An asked in astonishment, "Why would you depose him?"

Lv Baitian explained, "He has been Emperor for nearly two hundred years; the world below is rife with turmoil and evil spirits, and public grievances are soaring. Changing the Emperor to offer a sacrifice to the heavens might reverse the fortunes. Unfortunately, he has won over several Elders from the Hall of Elders, which prevented me from forcing him to abdicate before.

Just as I was regaining my Cultivation Level, the Ephemera Sect arrived, bringing endless troubles."

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Speaking of the Ephemera Sect, he showed a vexed expression.

Gu An couldn't tell whether he truly cared for the welfare of the common people or just disliked Li Xuandao.

Both of them provided him with High-Rank Medical Herbs, so it was difficult for him to take sides and could only watch their struggle.

Li Xuandao indeed has methods, capable of keeping a nine-layer Great Cultivator from the Unification Realm from taking action against him, and he is still growing rapidly.

If Lv Baitian knew Li Xuandao had already reached the Void Crossing Realm Cultivation Level, he would probably go kill Li Xuandao right now.

Lv Baitian began talking about the Ephemera Sect; the Venerable Pavilion had collected many leads on the Ephemera Sect, and there were several spies within the Hall of Elders, not just one.

This angered Lv Baitian immensely, as he had just cleared out a bunch of demon spies a few years ago, only to find that there were still spies among those left, and from the Ephemera Sect which he loathed the most.

"I received intelligence that Sect Hierarch Zhong Liang of the Ephemera Sect has died, though I don't know who killed him. The Ephemera Sect is now lying low, awaiting their main branch Cultivators; they all suspect Zhong Liang was killed by me, which is laughable. I, on the other hand, suspect it was internal strife among themselves," Lv Baitian mocked.

Gu An curiously asked, "Why are the major conflicts between the Ephemera Sect and the demon path concentrated in the North Sea Mountain?"

Lv Baitian replied, "Because a large part of the Ephemera Sect's high ranks are in the North Sea Mountain; they're searching for an opportunity related to our sect."

"What opportunity?"

"Our sect has a Supreme Elder who attained enlightenment in the North Sea Mountain a thousand years ago, surpassing the Unification Realm, then disappeared without a trace. However, legends suggest that he didn't take with him the Heaven-Cutting Axe, a treasure of the Supreme Sect. This axe couldn't be stored in a Storage Dharma Artifact; it's involved in a major legacy.

The Ephemera Sect has been seeking this legacy all these years."

Just as expected!

Gu An secretly felt pleased; the Ephemera Sect had been searching for so many years yet hadn't found it, but he had discovered it by chance.

It seems that the sinking of Spiritual Energy does have its benefits.

"The Heaven-Cutting Axe is extraordinary, said to be connected to the Holy Land. For three thousand years, only that Supreme Elder has inherited such a significant legacy from the Holy Land; he is also my Martial Master," Lv Baitian remarked sentimentally.

Ancestor Xuan Tian was indeed formidable.

Considering the weight of the Heaven-Cutting Axe, Gu An found this perfectly reasonable.

Lv Baitian obviously idolized Ancestor Xuan Tian and began to recount his exploits; he had never met Ancestor Xuan Tian but had often heard about him from his teacher.

His teacher said that Ancestor Xuan Tian had never suffered defeat in his life and, no matter how many enemies, Ancestor Xuan Tian could always fight his way out. Ancestor Xuan Tian even ventured to the south on an adventure, reputedly obtaining Immortal Sorcery before returning to seclude himself.

However, Gu An knew that Ancestor Xuan Tian had never obtained any Immortal Sorcery; he had roamed the seas for many years, nearly killed by the Demon King, which forced him to flee back home, intending to venture out again once he reached the Mystic Heart Realm. Unfortunately, he never achieved his wish until his death.

Suddenly, Gu An thought about the True Inheritor who had gone out to gain experience, possibly heading to the sea as well.

It was said that this True Inheritor was even more powerful than Lv Baitian, likely having reached the Mystic Heart Realm already.

However, when Gu An mentioned the True Inheritor, Lv Baitian looked annoyed and unwilling to talk more.

Clearly, their relationship was not good.

Just as Lv Baitian was speaking, he suddenly stopped.

Gu An also felt a powerful aura coming from the north, but he pretended not to know, especially since Lv Baitian was right in front of him.

Lv Baitian turned his head, looking toward the sky outside the window, and murmured, "Has it finally come then?"

Gu An asked in confusion, "What has come?"

Lv Baitian stood up and said, "Nothing much, I have to go now."

He left quickly, and Gu An quickly stood up to see him out, walking him to the entrance hall.

Gu An saw that Lu Lingjun had also sensed the powerful aura from afar and was frowning deeply.

It seemed that Lu Lingjun noticed Gu An's gaze, glanced back at him, and then continued sweeping leaves.

Gu An looked in the direction Lv Baitian had gone, curiously wondering about the origin of that aura.

It didn't feel like the aura of a Cultivator, but had an indescribably strange sensation.