Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Immortal Venerable’s Grace, Daotian Sect Holy Daughter

Gu An held the token of the Demon Extermination Hall and did not refuse. He looked at Lu Jiujia and smiled with relief: “Not bad. You’ve now become the person you wanted to be back then.”

Hearing this, Lu Jiujia felt even more delighted. He smiled and said: “The past few years were indeed like walking on thin ice. I didn’t dare to contact you, fearing I might implicate you. Now that the storm has passed, we can keep in touch more often.”

After a few words of small talk, Lu Jiujia hurriedly left with his entourage, saying that he had to catch a demon path spy.

Gu An watched his departing figure, feeling slightly conflicted.

The reputation of the Demon Extermination Hall was not good. It was both the most powerful hall within the Outer Sect and the most hated. It was said that if you offended someone from the Demon Extermination Hall, as long as they labeled you a demon path spy, you were as good as dead.

Gu An clearly felt the disdainful and hateful glances toward him from the people around.

He stopped thinking about it and turned to leave.

An hour later.

He arrived at the Third Medicine Valley. As soon as he reached the entrance, he saw Elder Tian standing in front of the stele, stroking his beard, lost in thought.

Over the years, Gu An had become familiar with Elder Tian, who behaved like a servant disciple. Zhen Qin, Su Han, and Ye Yan had not noticed anything unusual about him, and Gu An treated him as a servant disciple too.

“Elder Tian, why are you standing here?” Gu An greeted as he walked toward him.

Elder Tian looked at Gu An with a kind smile. His eyelids were almost closed, giving the impression that he was one foot in the grave.

“Valley Master, I was pondering why this valley is called the Third Medicine Valley. Could it be that you have two other medicine valleys?” Elder Tian asked with a smile.

Gu An walked up to the stele and chuckled: “Not at all. Besides this valley, I only have one other medicine valley. The reason it’s called the Third Medicine Valley is my principle in life, which is not to strive for first or second, but to aim for third. I believe that being too prominent attracts trouble. The top three are all excellent, but third place is the safest.”

When Elder Tian heard this, his eyelids lifted slightly as he fell into thought.

Gu An patted his shoulder and smiled: “Today I brought roasted chicken and fine wine for us to taste. This spirit chicken cost me ten low-grade spirit stones from the Outer Sect.”

Elder Tian snapped out of his thoughts and followed him.

Ye Yan was not practicing his spear technique at the valley entrance but on a path in the central garden. He stood straight, holding the spear in one hand with his eyes closed, saying he was feeling the connection between himself and the spear.

Gu An did not interfere with Ye Yan’s spear technique or body tempering technique as he had no interest in spear techniques, and he already had the Mystic Yellow Dragon Energy Skill as his body tempering technique.

“Yan’er, come drink with us and celebrate that your senior brothers and sisters have become outer disciples,” Gu An called out loudly.

Elder Tian curiously asked: “All these years, you’ve refined all your medicinal herbs into elixirs for the disciples. What’s in it for you? Even if they are grateful now, over time, the relationship will fade. Why not use the resources on yourself?”

“And me, I’m just an old man who doesn’t know how long he can live. Giving elixirs to me is a waste, isn’t it?”

After spending several years together, Elder Tian had developed a good opinion of Gu An. Gu An treated him well, unlike other disciples who ignored him, and even shared elixirs to help him increase his cultivation level.

Before his cultivation level fell, Elder Tian never imagined there would be such a selfless person within the Supreme Sect.

He even regretted his previous disregard for the Outer Sect.

Gu An laughed: “I have mediocre qualifications. Being too obsessed with improving my cultivation would only bring me anguish. It’s better to give hope to the younger generation. As for you, Elder Tian, although you are older than me, you’re still my disciple, so I naturally treat you equally. Even if your cultivation level doesn’t improve much, it will enhance your qi-blood, allowing you to live better, right?”

His gaze shifted to Ye Yan, a smile on his face.

The sunlight illuminated his profile, which unexpectedly moved Elder Tian.

Elder Tian suddenly recalled the words of Gu Zong when recommending Gu An.

“Don’t be fooled by that kid’s low cultivation level. The fact that he wrote the Investiture of the Gods shows his broad mind. After gaining fame and fortune, he still devotes himself to the Medicine Valley, tirelessly contributing to the Supreme Sect. In terms of character and demeanor, I believe he surpasses Great Cultivators of the Void Crossing Realm.”

Thinking about this, Elder Tian’s mouth curled into a smile, seemingly infected by Gu An’s warmth.

Soon, the three of them gathered around a stone table, drinking and eating meat.

Gu An shared his encounters of the day. Besides Zhen Qin and Su Han, he also mentioned the Demon Extermination Hall to gauge Elder Tian’s reaction.

However, Elder Tian remained indifferent, focusing on his chicken leg.

Ye Yan chimed in: “I think the Demon Extermination Hall is quite good. Recently in Mystic Valley, there were several encounters with demon cultivators. The Outer Sect is indeed too chaotic. The bad reputation of the Demon Extermination Hall might be fueled by demon path spies behind the scenes.”

Gu An nodded; it was a possibility.

Since the establishment of the Demon Extermination Hall, Mystic Valley had not seen any demon cultivators, nor had any spies from the Thousand-Autumn Pavilion come for him.

“Master, once I reach the Foundation Establishment, I don’t want to stay in the Supreme Sect. I want to join the military,” Ye Yan suddenly said.

Goodness!

Saying you want to jump ship right in front of the former Sect Leader?

Gu An asked: “Why?”

Ye Yan’s face was firm: “The Supreme Sect values spirit root qualification. For someone like me, it’s hard to stand out. Also, joining the military allows me to slay demons and save the populace. My parents were killed by demons. I vowed from a young age that once I learned spells, I would travel the world as a wandering hero, slaying demons and monsters.”

Elder Tian looked at him and nodded slightly.

Gu An smiled: “I didn’t expect you to have such grand ambitions. Master supports you.”

Ye Yan smiled, immediately lifting a bowl of wine to toast Gu An, then poured another bowl to clink with Elder Tian.

The atmosphere became even more harmonious. After opening up, Ye Yan spoke more than usual, making Elder Tian talkative as well.

“Master, will you transfer disciples from Mystic Valley?” Ye Yan asked.

Gu An shook his head: “Let’s wait until you reach Foundation Establishment. I’m afraid others might disturb your path enlightenment. With Elder Tian and me, we can manage.”

Each area was already running smoothly, and daily chores were not many.

Hearing this, Ye Yan felt even more touched.

Gu An began to envision the future with him, drinking spiritual wine one jar after another until he became drunk.

…

At the end of summer, the scorching heat of the world was receding.

Gu An stood on the grass of Mystic Valley, watching four cultivators from the Demon Extermination Hall fly away, silently.

Wuxin approached, saying: “Senior Brother, what are you daydreaming about? There are so many boxes. Aren’t you going to check them?”

Those four were sent by Lu Jiujia to deliver gifts to Mystic Valley. After waiting half a day for Gu An to return, they finally left.

Gu An withdrew his gaze, looked at Wuxin, and smiled: “You do the counting. They’re probably medicinal herbs.”

Wuxin’s face lit up. This feeling of being trusted was wonderful.

Now, Gu An had handed over the management of Mystic Valley entirely to Wuxin. He only came to pick the herbs, and Wuxin had no objections to this. Gu An helping to shoulder part of the labor was something he could not resist.

He sought power, not to drive Gu An away. Without Gu An, he felt Mystic Valley lacked something. Therefore, during Gu An’s absence, he focused almost entirely on cultivating.

Gu An turned and walked toward the Transmission Array Platform.

After a while, he arrived at the Third Medicine Valley.

Since Zhen Qin and Su Han became outer disciples, this medicine valley had become very deserted. After finishing his work, Ye Yan would go to practice his spear, and Elder Tian was a man of few words.

Gu An stepped off the array platform and saw Elder Tian squatting in the garden, admiring a fourth-grade medicinal herb.

The old man often dazed off, something Gu An had gotten used to.

He entered the pavilion and took out the Ziwei Array Chronicles.

For the past year, he had been secretly studying the Ziwei Array Chronicles and gained considerable insights.

Hours later, Gu An sensed something, immediately placing the Ziwei Array Chronicles back into his storage bag, then waited in the house.

“Gu An! Gu An! Come out quickly!”

Gu An heard Gu Yu’s call, his voice growing louder as he descended. The rascal started shouting as soon as he landed.

He stood up and walked out of the pavilion, standing on the second-floor balcony, and saw Gu Zong and Gu Yu flying in on a golden wheel at lightning speed.

After landing, Gu Zong stored the magic artifact in his sleeve, and Gu Yu stepped forward excitedly: “Gu An, your…”

“Ahem!”

Gu Zong cleared his throat, and Gu Yu realized something, promptly closing his mouth.

Gu An stood upstairs, smiling: “Come up and talk.”

Gu Yu nodded and quickly went upstairs while Gu Zong turned back and waved to Elder Tian.

The four gathered in the second-floor room, and Gu Zong raised his hand, casting a spell, forming two restrictions at the windowsill.

Gu Yu pulled Gu An to sit down, saying excitedly: “The Supreme Immortal Venerable is a complete success! The entire Immortal Cultivation World is watching, and even the surrounding dynasties and sects are buying this book from the Supreme Sect!”

“Hahaha, a few years ago, when Supreme Immortal Venerable first came out, many mocked Pan An for losing his talent. Who would’ve thought that now, everyone would be eager to read it, all expecting me, Gu Yu, to prove my genius!”

Seeing his excitement, Gu An couldn’t help but smile.

The success of the Supreme Immortal Venerable didn’t surprise him at all. After all, such stories of meteoric rise and face-slapping strong opponents were an enormous emotional shock to the Immortal Cultivation World.

Gu Zong said: “We came today not just for this matter, but it’s related. The Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect is coming to the Supreme Sect to cultivate. She’s coming for you. Daotian Sect is from the Taicang Dynasty’s neighboring Great Yu Dynasty, the leading sect in Great Yu. The Holy Daughter is the Daotian Sect Hierarch’s daughter. Her coming will establish a long-term friendly relationship between the Supreme Sect and Daotian Sect.”

“At that time, I’ll have to introduce the Holy Daughter of Daotian Sect to you. Don’t worry; this matter won’t spread out. You will only need to meet her once. She’s promised not to reveal your identity.”

Gu An felt a headache coming on.

I’ve become a part of foreign diplomacy?

Gu Zong stroked his beard and laughed: “The Supreme Immortal Venerable significantly boosted the development of the Supreme Sect. The Hall of Elders greatly appreciates you. If you can convince the Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect to stay, the Hall of Elders will reward you with a seventh-grade spirit tree seedling. Once grown, this tree will notably enhance the local spiritual energy, making it not difficult for you to achieve Core Formation, despite your qualifications.”

“Originally, you were to receive a cultivation technique or high-rank dharma artifact, but Yu said you avoid conflict and prefer gardening, so it was changed to a seventh-grade spirit tree. This tree will benefit the entire medicine valley, its advantages immeasurable.”