Saint Who Lay Low

"My master suspects that the Demon Lord Jiye from Tianjue Sect may be coming!" Ye Lan said seriously.

Gu An frowned and asked, "Why do you think so?"

"Last night, the spiritual energy in the Outer Sect was drained, affecting even the Inner Sect. Coupled with the recent death of Lin Futian from Wan Yin Sect at the hands of the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal, all these signs point to the demonic factions preparing to besiege Tai Xuan Sect. Draining the spiritual energy from the Outer Sect is only the first step. Among the demonic sects, only the Demon Lord Jiye from Tianjue Sect possesses the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art, which is said to drain the vitality from a thousand miles of land," Ye Lan explained, her eyes filled with fear.

This...

Gu An was momentarily speechless.

Lin Futian had been killed by him, and the events of last night were also his doing...

Had the demonic sects unknowingly taken the blame for his actions?

Though Gu An had been forced into becoming a spy for Thousand Autumn Pavilion, he never considered himself a demonic cultivator.

After thinking for a moment, he reassured her, "Junior Sister, don't worry. If the sky falls, there will be those taller to hold it up. Tai Xuan Sect is the number one sect in the Tai Cang Dynasty. Even if the demonic sects attack, how difficult would it be for them to truly shake Tai Xuan Sect?"

Ye Lan took a deep breath and looked at Gu An with determination in her eyes. She bit her lip and said, "Senior Brother, let's run away together. I've already reached Foundation Establishment. We could hide in some remote mountains and cultivate. I can help you reach Foundation Establishment too!"

Gu An almost lost his composure.

Oh, this junior sister is trying to use this opportunity to tie their fates together?

Gu An sighed and said, "Junior Sister, you're exaggerating. Besides, where in this world is truly safe? If we hide in the deep mountains and encounter a Core Formation demon cultivator, how would we fend them off? And this is all just speculation. I doubt the demonic sects are really planning an attack."

"If the demonic factions truly planned to besiege Tai Xuan Sect, shouldn't they have already done so by now? With all the commotion they've caused, why delay? Are they giving Tai Xuan Sect time to call back all their powerful cultivators?"

Hearing his reasoning, Ye Lan nodded, finding it sensible.

She thought for a moment and suggested, "Then why don't you come with me to the Outer Sect to avoid any trouble?"

Gu An spoke with a serious tone, "Junior Sister, you don't need to worry about me. Don't let me affect your cultivation. If you truly care about me, then focus on getting stronger. That way, you'll be able to take care of me in the future. This is also for your own benefit. If a cultivator doesn't prioritize their own cultivation, there will inevitably come a time when they find themselves powerless."

Ye Lan felt ashamed, realizing she had indeed been too hasty.

"Senior Brother, I, am already at the ninth stage of Qi Refining. It's not that easy for ordinary demon cultivators to kill me!" Gu An said proudly with a smile.

Hearing this, Ye Lan burst into laughter, quickly covering her mouth. "Senior Brother, do you really think demon cultivators that dare to sneak into Tai Xuan Sect would be at the Qi Refining level? I heard that Lin Futian was a terrifying Nascent Soul cultivator."

Gu An huffed, "What, you think a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't need to lift a finger to kill me?"

"Yes, yes, Senior Brother is the strongest," Ye Lan said with a laugh, her earlier nervousness easing.

Afterward, Gu An asked about the situation in the Outer Sect, and Ye Lan explained everything without holding back.

It wasn't until the evening that Gu An saw her off.

He had originally planned to improve his cultivation and techniques that night, but after hearing that the Outer Sect had entered a state of readiness, he decided to lay low for a while.

There was still one question that lingered in his mind.

If the spiritual energy in the surrounding area were completely drained and he continued to break through, what would happen?

He suspected the Lifespan Barrier would start drawing spiritual energy from even farther away, which would definitely alert Tai Xuan Sect.

...

For the next three days, Gu An stayed within Xuan Valley, not even venturing into the Eight Views Heavenly Cave.

Sky Dragon had begun cultivating on its own and could go without meat for days. Moreover, Gu An had prepared a batch of ripened Ancient Vine fruits, so the dragon could eat them whenever it was hungry.

Thanks to their soul bond, Sky Dragon always remembered Gu An's instructions and had never caused any trouble since it was born. It was a creature Gu An could trust.

That night, Gu An was in the pavilion, reading. With his Supreme Five Elemental Heavenly Spiritual Roots, all he had to do was take a single breath, and he could absorb all the spiritual energy within ten meters, converting it into spiritual power with incredible efficiency.

Since the Outer Sect's spiritual energy was still recovering, he refrained from cultivating and kept his absorption in check.

Suddenly, Gu An sensed something and his expression shifted.

He didn't get up but continued reading.

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, a shadow appeared outside his window. The person slowly pushed open the window and leaped inside.

Gu An immediately used Lifespan Investigation.

[Fu Xiong (Foundation Establishment Stage 2): 160/198/240]

After his encounters with Li Xuandao and Lin Futian, Gu An had become even more reliant on Lifespan Investigation. There were simply too many deceitful cultivators in this world.

Fu Xiong appeared to be around fifty years old, of average height, dressed in black. His eyes were dark and hawk-like, giving off an air of deep calculation.

He straightened up, locked eyes with Gu An, and asked, "Are you the master of Xuan Valley?"

Gu An frowned and asked, "I am. Who might you be?"

Fu Xiong didn't answer immediately. Instead, he scrutinized Gu An for a few seconds before suddenly speaking, "Thousand Autumn Ancient Vine Tree, never regret."

Gu An remained silent.

His divine sense had already spread out, confirming that Fu Xiong was alone.

Reluctantly, Gu An replied, "All methods wither, yet roots are hard to find..."

Hearing this, Fu Xiong's expression softened. He walked over to the table, sat down as if it were his own home, poured himself a cup of tea, and asked, "So, has Cheng Xuandan died already?"

Gu An nodded. "My master has passed. Why is Senior looking for me?"

"Do you know the whereabouts of the Ancient Vine Tree?" Fu Xiong asked after taking a sip of tea, glancing around the room as he spoke.

Other than books, the room was filled with herbs, most wrapped in protective talismans.

Seeing that Fu Xiong wasn't truly concerned about the Ancient Vine Tree, Gu An asked, "What is this Ancient Vine Tree?"

Fu Xiong withdrew his gaze and looked at Gu An, asking, "Your master never told you?"

Gu An shook his head.

"The Ancient Vine Tree is the sacred tree of our Thousand Autumn Pavilion. Over two hundred years ago, our sect sent someone to bring a Ancient Vine Tree to the Outer Sect of Tai Xuan Sect, but over time, the trail went cold, and we no longer know where it is," Fu Xiong explained, frowning.

Over two hundred years ago?

Gu An frowned, thinking that perhaps Jiang Qiong had hidden something from him.

Fu Xiong sighed and said, "To be honest, my master is about to break through to Divine Transformation. The tribulation is extremely dangerous, so I'm searching for Ancient Vine Fruits to aid him."

Hearing this, Gu An asked curiously, "What is Divine Transformation?"

"Foundation Establishment is followed by Core Formation, and then comes Nascent Soul. Beyond Nascent Soul is Divine Transformation," Fu Xiong said with a proud smile, as if he were the one about to break through.

"Is the tribulation for Nascent Soul cultivators that dangerous? I heard that Nascent Soul cultivators are practically immortals," Gu An said in a tone of surprise.

"Immortals? Far from it. Even advancing from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation requires a tribulation, and every tribulation is extremely dangerous—a life-and-death ordeal. The higher the realm, the more terrifying the tribulation. My master has been preparing for ten years just for this," Fu Xiong said with a look of admiration.

Gu An asked, "What kind of preparations are needed? Can't you just undergo the tribulation directly?"

"Are you kidding? Of course not! For a tribulation, you must prepare pills to replenish your spiritual power and heal your injuries. You'll also need formations to support you, and several sets of magical artifacts ready. I've never heard of anyone going into a tribulation unprepared," Fu Xiong said, glaring at Gu An, finding his questions foolish.

After hearing this, Gu An felt much more at ease.

Suddenly, Fu Xiong chuckled and said, "I see that your valley has quite a few herbs. How about you take me as your master? I'll protect you in the future and teach you spells. In return, you can offer me thirty percent of your herb harvest every year. What do you say?"

Gu An frowned again.

Fu Xiong lowered his voice and said, "Kid, my master—your grandmaster—is already in the Inner Sect. Once he breaks through to Divine Transformation, he'll become an Elder. By then, anything you desire will be yours."

Gu An widened his eyes and asked in surprise, "Your master is about to become an Inner Sect Elder, yet he doesn't know the location of the Ancient Vine Tree?"

"This matter is quite complicated. Let's talk about your apprenticeship first," Fu Xiong said in a serious tone.

Gu An hesitated and asked, "Is this your master's idea?"

"Of course not. My master doesn't even know I'm here at this herb valley. You're just a menial disciple; how could someone like my master even notice you?" Fu Xiong said with irritation.

Gu An stood up, looked down at him, and said, "One last question."

Fu Xiong frowned and replied coldly, "What is it?"

He was really starting to get annoyed with this kid. Too many questions!

"Do you know what realm comes after Divine Transformation?" Gu An asked.

"What?"

Fu Xiong was stunned for a moment before becoming furious. How would he know the realm beyond Divine Transformation? He felt like Gu An was mocking him.

Just as he was about to stand up, Gu An's right hand pressed down on his head.

Looking up, Fu Xiong saw Gu An's cold expression, his eyes gleaming with an icy light, and his entire demeanor had changed.

In that instant, Fu Xiong felt as if he were facing his own master.

No, this was even more terrifying than his master!

He tried to speak, but his consciousness quickly faded, his eyes losing focus.

Gu An was using the Soul Capture Technique. He had struggled with this spell before, but now, with his Supreme Five Elemental Heavenly Spiritual Roots, it had become second nature.

Though not yet fully mastered, it was more than enough to deal with someone like Fu Xiong.

His spiritual power suppressed Fu Xiong while his divine sense forcibly invaded the man's mind, searching through his memories.

Half an hour later, Fu Xiong was dead.

Gu An opened his eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

This guy truly didn't know the whereabouts of the Ancient Vine Tree, nor had his master sent him here.

Gu An raised his hand, lifting Fu Xiong's body into the air. Spiritual flames ignited from his palm, burning the body to ash in less than four breaths. Only a storage pouch remained. Gu An had also managed to steal four years of his lifespan.

After inspecting the storage pouch, Gu An took out the herbs and spirit stones inside, but he didn't dare touch the magical artifacts or talismans, choosing to burn them along with the pouch to avoid being tracked.

The next morning, Gu An descended the pavilion as if nothing had happened.

As his disciples gathered for their morning exercises, he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.

Damn, I'm starting to act like a demonic cultivator!

This continued for an entire month without any other Thousand Autumn Pavilion cultivators coming to look for him, and Gu An finally relaxed.

One day, Du Ye came to visit, and they met in the pavilion.

"The Third Miss has mastered the Soaring Eagle Ascends technique, and the clan leader is very pleased. He's planning a celebration in the Inner Sect, and all of the Ji family servants must attend to help receive guests. Ten days from now, I'll wait for you at the Outer Sect's Law Enforcement Hall. Prepare a batch of herbs as a congratulatory gift, and you might win the favor of the Third Miss," Du Ye explained earnestly.

Gu An nodded, making a decision.

Tonight, I'll invest in the Eight Directions Step!

Let's see how powerful Ji Xiaoyu's Soaring Eagle Ascends really is.