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

"Seven Stars Spirit Realm is so powerful, why do you need to invite me? Wait until I come begging you in the future," Wu Jue replied stiffly.

After hearing this, Lord Wei of the Heaven shook his head and chuckled, not feeling angry at all.

In the time that followed, Gu An watched Lord Wei of the Heaven boast about how powerful the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was. Unfortunately, no matter how eloquently he spoke, he couldn't persuade Wu Jue.

Wu Jue's attitude amused Gu An.

If Wu Jue knew that Lord Wei of the Heaven was of Mystic Heart Realm cultivation level, how would he react?

Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Lord Wie of the Heaven. Gu An looked up and saw it was Wu Jue's current master, Zhou Yu.

[Zhou Yu (Unification Realm Nine Layers): 864/2000/3100]

To become a member of the Venerable Pavilion, apart from high cultivation level, one's talent was also of the very top tier, second to none compared to Lv Baitian.

Zhou Yu looked at Lord Wei of the Heaven and said, "Senior Lord Wei, Wu Jue is my disciple. Can we talk somewhere else about this?"

Lord Wei of the Heaven turned to him and pondered, "You're Zhou Yu, right?"

"Indeed, five hundred years ago, I cultivated under your guidance for several years," Zhou Yu replied with a slightly respectful tone.

Wu Jue stood up and bowed to his master.

Lord Wei of the Heaven suddenly realized and laughed, "Ah, that's right. In that case, let's move to a different place to talk."

The disciples around them, who were drinking and enjoying themselves, were all watching them; continuing the conversation here was indeed inappropriate.

Without waiting for Wu Jue and Gu An to greet him, Zhou Yu grabbed his shoulder and disappeared on the spot.

Meanwhile, Lord Wei of the Heaven smiled and nodded at Gu An; Gu An followed with a gesture of respect.

After Lord Wei of the Heaven disappeared, Gu An's lips curled up.

He picked up the wine pot, filled both his and Wu Jue's cups, then lifted his cup and whispered, "Here's to a brilliant future for you, and to making a name for yourself soon."

After speaking, he drank it all by himself.

After drinking, Gu An got up, went downstairs, settled the bill, and left the inn.

He didn't head straight back to the Third Medicine Valley but instead walked towards the Book Collection Hall of the Inner Sect.

Since Gu An had borrowed the "Chronicles of the World" and a continental map from the Inner Sect's Book Collection Hall, he had also established a relationship with Elder Xu Lu. Over the years, the two often exchanged copies of "Green Hero Travelogue" and had formed a friendship that transcended age.

It's worth noting that in the Book Collection Hall, Gu An also met Ancestor Kusong.

Ancestor Kusong had concealed his identity as a Supreme Elder, interacting with Gu An as an Inner Sect Disciple, and Gu An didn't expose him.

Arriving on the third floor of the Book Collection Hall, Gu An found Xu Lu, handed back the books he had borrowed, and then smiled, "Elder Xu, do you have any more books by Daoist Xunchun?"

Daoist Xunchun was the author of the book lent to Gu An by Xu Lu. This book was not sold in the Book Collection Hall but had been brought back by a friend of Xu Lu who had been overseas, and it was said to be very popular there.

After reading it, Gu An realized that Daoist Xunchun's writing was indeed remarkable; he even saw traces of "Green Hero Travelogue" within it.

Latter, he heard Xu Lu saying that Green Hero was inspired to write "Green Hero Travelogue" after reading Daoist Xunchun's book.

Xu Lu took from the table the books Gu An placed there, looked up at him, and said not very kindly, "Kid, you should read in your leisure time from cultivation. Don't get too engrossed."

Gu An laughed and said, "My talents are average, hard work in cultivation is futile for me, and I'll probably only reach the Elixir Formation Realm in this lifetime. You know, I am the Valley Master of Medicine Valley; I can improve my cultivation level through elixirs. Why should I waste time cultivating when I can instead enjoy life and cherish the time I'm alive?"

Elder Xu, who already knew his Heavenly Destiny, thought this made a lot of sense after hearing it.

Elder Xu laughed and said, "Indeed, there is another book by Daoist Xunchun, in the hands of that person upstairs. Go find him."

Upon hearing this, Gu An immediately bowed to him and then turned towards the staircase.

There were only two people on the fourth floor, Ancestor Kusong and a Great Cultivator from the Void Crossing Realm, who did not disturb each other.

Gu An walked up to Ancestor Kusong, who was sitting in a chair by the window, holding a book in his hands.

Supreme Immortal Venerable!

This was a thrilling narrative written by Pan An. Over the years, under the management of the Supreme Sect, both "Supreme Immortal Venerable" and "Investiture of the Gods" had spread to the other dynasties and were highly popular; the most popular was still "Supreme Immortal Venerable," while "Investiture of the Gods" was highly esteemed by the higher-ups of various factions.

In the world of immortal cultivation, there's a classic saying: high realms read 'Investiture of the Gods', lower realms read 'Immortal Venerable'.

It surprised Gu An that Ancestor Kusong liked "Supreme Immortal Venerable."

"Senior, Elder Xu recommended I visit; may I borrow the book by Daoist Xunchun?" Gu An asked softly.

Upon hearing this, Ancestor Kusong reached into his robe, pulled out a book, and threw it to him.

Gu An caught the book, quickly flipped through it, and immediately smiled.

Ancestor Kusong suddenly asked, "Gu An, have you ever read 'Supreme Immortal Venerable'?"

The identity of Pan An was still a secret within the Supreme Sect, known only to a few people, and Ancestor Kusong did not inquire further about the original author's intentions.

"I have read it, it's alright," Gu An commented.

Although 'Supreme Immortal Venerable' was his original work, he didn't like to read it because it lacked novelty for him.

Ancestor Kusong chuckled and said, "Then you don't understand the profoundness of 'Supreme Immortal Venerable'. In my view, this book is superior to 'Investiture of the Gods' because it resonates with the vast majority, showing that the author has seen through worldly matters."

Gu An responded, "But I still prefer 'Investiture of the Gods', which is more detailed and imaginative."

The two started debating which book was more appealing.

Gu An had no intention of indulging him. After all, openly Gu An did not know his true identity, and they were friends of different generations that shared interests. If Gu An always played along, flattering him, it would have made things uninteresting instead.

After a long debate, Gu An gained the upper hand and left, fully satisfied.

Ancestor Kusong, his nose blown and eyes glaring, watched as Gu An descended the stairs; his anger only dissipated after Gu An's departure, replaced by a mocking smile.

At that moment, a Great Cultivator of the Void Crossing Realm approached. He was a man clad in a gray Taoist robe who came to Ancestor Kusong and asked with a smile, "Ancestor, why do you contend with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"

"Although he is at the Foundation Establishment Realm, but being able to enter the Inner Sect, do you think he is that simple?" Ancestor Kusong countered.

The man in the gray robe shook his head, "Perhaps he has some background, but his cultivation level cannot lie."

Ancestor Kusong smiled and did not respond, continuing to watch the Supreme Immortal Venerable.

The man in the gray robe continued, "The nine dynastic sects are preparing to join hands to investigate the land of demons to find the cause of the calamity of demon disaster. Will you go?"

Ancestor Kusong replied, "Hmm, this old bone of mine has no hope of advancing further. After enjoying some leisurely days, I will head to the demon land."

Upon hearing this, the man in the gray robe followed up, "Ancestor, take me with you."

"Nonsense, it's a journey of nine deaths and one life. Even though I am in the Mystic Heart Realm, I cannot guarantee your safety."

"Is it that terrifying?"

"What do you think is the reason the Ephemera Sect only dares to cause chaos within the land of the nine dynasties?"

"Could it be that the demon land also harbors a Mahayana?"

Ancestor Kusong did not answer; he shifted his gaze to the window. Under the blue sky, disciples were flying in and out, presenting a pleasing scenery.

...

Late at night.

Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, Nianchu Cave.

Gu An was teaching Tian Yao'er the Limitless Freedom Step.

Tian Yao'er was the only one who had inherited the Limitless Freedom Step, and coupled with the Innate Earth Immortal Skill, in a thousand years, her strength would certainly be formidable, unbeatable within her realm, with no one and no demon able to capture her.

Excited about Gu An's teaching, this was the first time he taught her a spell.

The technique of the Limitless Freedom Step was very complex. Tian Yao'er found it extremely challenging to practice, but Gu An was not in a hurry; this technique required years of practice to show effects. If Tian Yao'er mastered it after just one attempt, he would have been overwhelmed.

Five years had passed.

Gu An was contemplating when he should help Tian Yao'er form her core.

Tian Yao'er had been like a pot of medicine before. When they first met, she had already achieved the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, just one step shy from the Elixir Formation Realm, but she had previously lacked a cultivation technique. Now that she was practicing the Innate Earth Immortal Skill, breakthrough was no longer a difficult task.

As Gu An watched Tian Yao'er's graceful figure, he suddenly sensed something and dispersed his Divine Sense.

His Divine Sense soared into the sky, overseeing the entire Heavenly Phoenix Mountain, witnessing a spectacular scene.

Countless demons were heading towards the north, in a mighty flood resembling waves that covered the mountains and rivers. The night fog churned continuously under the dark night, unable to hide the figures of the demons.

With a glance, Gu An saw monsters, demons, and ghosts; their advance made the mountains and rivers tremble, with the disturbance still intensifying.

After a while.

Nianchu Cave also began to tremble slightly, alarming Tian Yao'er enough to stop her.

She came nervously to Gu An's side, leaning on his arm and clutching at his sleeve, her eyes filled with fear as she whispered, "It's happening again."

Gu An looked down at her and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Tian Yao'er replied, "When I was very young, this happened as well. Many, many demons went north, even the Demon Mother went to see the Demon Ancestor."

"Demon Ancestor? Tell me more about it," Gu An's interest piqued, and he led Tian Yao'er to sit down at a stone table.

Taking a deep breath, Tian Yao'er began recounting the legends of the Demon Ancestor she had heard.

"Legend has it that a long time ago, when the first demon was born between heaven and earth, he was the Demon Ancestor. Born superior to all beings, he felt lonely through the long years, so he sprinkled his own blood onto the earth, allowing the beings of the earth to be baptized and then transformed into demons… "

"Later, a group of beings called humans arrived on earth. They were immensely powerful and slaughtered the demons…"

At this point, Tian Yao'er could not help but look at Gu An, her expression tense, for she already knew that Gu An was not a demon, but a human.

For demons who had never had contact with humans, humans were terrifying beings.

If it weren't for Gu An saving Tian Yao'er, she would have tried to escape long ago.

Gu An, wearing a mask, noticed no reaction from him, so Tian Yao'er mustered the courage to continue.

The group of alien human cultivators was extremely powerful, slaughtering demons and seizing Demon Cores and Demon Treasures, ultimately angering the Demon Ancestor.

The Demon Ancestor personally intervened, repelling those terrifying human cultivators.

However, the real calamity then descended.

Years later, the human cultivators attacked again, this time in even greater numbers. The Demon Ancestor, in his efforts to protect the demon race, ultimately fell and perished.

Afterward, humans took root on the earth, ushering in a period of oppression for the demon race.

Throughout the long years of oppression, the demon race has consistently sought to resurrect the Demon Ancestor to exterminate the humans.

Until now, the resurrection of the Demon Ancestor is imminent. Every few decades, all the demons in the world go to worship the Demon Ancestor, offering their own demon blood.