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

Chapter 117: Kill Him—With a Sword?

Gu An and Wu Jue exchanged insights about Dao Comprehension, their conversation lasting until dawn. Both of them gained immense benefits from the discussion.

Before parting, Wu Jue once again reminded Gu An—never reveal his enlightenment experiences to anyone.

Seeing how cautious Wu Jue was, Gu An smiled and assured him.

Wu Jue watched him leave, a rare smile spreading across his face.

In all his years at Taixuan Sect, Gu An was the first true friend he had made.

Before, Wu Jue had always been self-conscious, avoiding deep connections with others. His master was the only person he had ever truly bonded with, so his master’s death had hit him hard.

Wu Jue turned back into his residence, eager to cultivate, already looking forward to their next conversation.

Gu An briefly wandered the city before returning to the Third Medicine Valley. After checking on it, he quickly left again.

By now, many spiritual herbs had been planted in Xuantian Cave Dwelling, but it was still far from being full.

Gu An planned to cultivate fifth-grade and higher spiritual herbs here.

Unlike Eight Views Celestial Realm, which was known to Jiang Qiong and Hao Long, Xuantian Cave Dwelling was a completely secret location—only he knew of its existence.

As he planted the herbs, he sensed the aura of battle from the north.

The Nine Nether Path’s aura remained strong, persisting for several months.

The Nine Dynasties continued sending cultivators to fight, successfully suppressing the Nightshade Sect’s movements for now.

Which made sense.

If Nightshade Sect had been powerful enough to wipe out the Nine Dynasties, they would have already done so.

Ignoring the distant battle, Gu An focused on his herb cultivation.

Tonight, he planned to stay in Xuantian Cave Dwelling, since it was the end of the month. If Li Ya wanted to contact him, he couldn’t afford to miss it.

After their agreement, Li Ya had yet to signal him from a mountaintop at the end of the month—perhaps he was restrained by other circumstances.

But Gu An wasn’t in a rush.

Every month, he would still come to Xuantian Cave Dwelling, using his divine sense to search for Li Ya’s aura in the north.

After finishing the herb planting, he set up another formation. When night fell, he activated his Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body, transformed into his shadowy demon form, and rushed north.

A Mountain Peak Under the Night Sky.

Li Ya, carrying his Northern Sea Heavy Sword, stood at the mountaintop, gazing into the distance.

Before him, mountains stretched endlessly, disappearing into the cloud-covered night sky, void of stars and moonlight.

"This place is so far from the Northern Sea Mountains… Will the Ancestor be able to find me?"

Li Ya’s thoughts were filled with worry.

His Old Ancestor’s voice rang in his mind:

"Even as the great cultivators of the Nine Dynasties gather, they still cannot defeat that female cultivator. If the main branch of the Nightshade Sect arrives, it will be even more dangerous. Even if your ancestor comes, he cannot turn the tide alone."

He, too, believed Gu An to be his ancestor—but even so, he had little faith in him.

After all, his ancestor might be strong, but the Nightshade Sect’s main branch undoubtedly had powerhouses of the same level—or stronger.

Li Ya fell silent.

He cautiously scanned his surroundings, ensuring no Nightshade Sect spies were tailing him.

Only when he was sure he was alone did he set his sword down and meditate.

Resting the heavy sword across his legs, he ran his fingers over the blade, feeling its sharpness.

By now, he had mastered a sliver of the Taicang Frightening God Sword Intent.

The more he studied it, the more he realized its unfathomable depth.

If he could fully master this sword technique, he would be able to dominate cultivators of the same realm—and even challenge those above him.

A cold wind howled, piercing to the bone despite the absence of snow.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when a shadowy figure appeared behind him, quietly observing.

It was Gu An, veiled in his Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body, silently assessing Li Ya’s swordsmanship.

Not bad.

At least he hadn’t wasted the sword techniques left behind.

"He's here…"

The Old Ancestor’s voice sounded in Li Ya’s mind, filled with complex emotions.

Hearing this, Li Ya opened his eyes and turned around.

As soon as he saw Gu An, he immediately stood up, lifting the Northern Sea Heavy Sword and bowing respectfully.

By now, he could wield the sword with one hand.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

Gu An didn’t bother correcting him. As long as Li Ya didn’t suspect his true identity, he didn’t care.

"Tell me about the Nightshade Sect."

His voice was altered, just as always.

Li Ya began his report.

The Nightshade Sect’s forces were all gathered at the Nine Nether Path entrance, their numbers exceeding a million.

Every Nightshade Sect disciple bore a Nightshade Mark, preventing those with doubts from escaping.

He also spoke of the Nightshade Tree.

Every day, cultivators would attack it, only to fall in battle and become its nourishment.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Even Li Ya, usually fearless, showed terror when speaking of the tree.

Gu An, however, wasn't interested in the minor battles.

He wanted to know how strong the main branch’s top powerhouses were.

But Li Ya didn’t have that information.

Half the conversation was about the battles surrounding the Nightshade Tree, with no mention of what lay inside the Nine Nether Path.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted them.

"So, you sneaked out just to deliver intelligence? Looks like your so-called patron is powerless to help you."

A mocking chuckle echoed through the air, sending Li Ya’s face into shock.

His gaze shot past Gu An.

A scholar-like figure emerged from the trees—Jinghong Guest.

Gu An didn’t turn around.

"Demonic Shadow Divine Art? Which esteemed elder of the Thousand Autumn Pavilion are you?" Jinghong Guest smirked.

He set down the bookcase strapped to his back, rummaging through it.

Before Gu An could speak, Li Ya urgently warned him:

"Ancestor, that’s Jinghong Guest! He was the one who stole my Old Ancestor’s soul! He’s incredibly powerful—you mustn’t underestimate him!"

Gu An glanced at Jinghong Guest.

【Jinghong Guest (Integration Stage, Ninth Layer): 1209/3020/3030】

A ninth-layer Integration Stage cultivator.

No wonder he was so arrogant.

Such a realm was enough to dominate the Taicang Empire.

Gu An slowly turned, watching as Jinghong Guest continued searching through his bookcase—clearly stalling for effect.

"Ancestor? So you’re kin?" Jinghong Guest sneered.

"Then I’ll torture you to death in front of him—to kill his foolish dreams."

Li Ya immediately stepped forward, presenting his Northern Sea Heavy Sword to Gu An.

"Use my sword to kill him!"

Gu An’s hoarse voice rang out.

"Kill him—with a sword?"

Li Ya froze.

Jinghong Guest paused his rummaging.

Slowly, he looked up at Gu An.

For the first time, he felt uneasy.