Saint Who Lay Low

Gu An's Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword Intent shook the entire Tai Xuan Sect, causing countless disciples to discuss it fervently. This sword intent lingered for several hours before finally dissipating.

In the following days, various rumors spread, but the only certainty was that the overwhelming pressure originated from a sword intent. This led to an increasing number of sword cultivators gathering at the Heaven Mending Platform.

Gu An, however, led a peaceful life. He traveled between the three Medicine Valleys, occasionally visiting Xuan Tian Cave Mansion at night. Other times, he simply enjoyed life.

In the blink of an eye, nearly half a year passed.

Gu An had reached the age of sixty-two.

The news of Sword Master Of Dao's extermination of the Ephemeral Blossom Sect's demon leader had now spread throughout the entire cultivation world. When Gu An ventured into the outer sect, he often overheard people discussing it. Sword Master Of Dao had already gained the title of the top sword cultivator in the Tai Cang Dynasty.

Some even believed he was the world's number one!

At noon on this day, Gu An stood at the edge of the Heaven Mending Platform, gazing at the hundred-zhang tall stone statue in front of him, feeling quite content.

The hundred-zhang stone statue was of Sword Master Of Dao, depicted in the stance of Gu An's Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body. The demonic aura around him had been sculpted into a blazing inferno. One hand pointed diagonally, while the other held a sword, exuding an air of dominance.

At this moment, Gu An wasn't the only one observing the statue. There were over ten others gazing up at it, each discussing it amongst themselves.

As he listened to their words of admiration for Sword Master Of Dao, Gu An's mood lifted even further.

Who wouldn't want their name to be known across the world?

Gu An certainly did. However, he feared that others might discover his life-draining abilities, so he maintained a low profile. But being able to make a name for himself under a different identity also satisfied his vanity.

"Sword Master Of Dao may be the number one sword cultivator in the Tai Cang Dynasty, but he's not necessarily the world's number one!"

A voice suddenly drew Gu An's attention, along with the gazes of many disciples nearby.

The speaker was a man dressed in blue, holding a folding fan. He was graceful and handsome, his expression calm, as if the arrogant words just spoken hadn't come from his mouth.

A burly inner disciple looked at the man in blue and said in a low voice, "Oh? Then tell us, who is the world's number one sword cultivator?"

By now, Sword Master Of Dao had become the pride of all Tai Xuan Sect disciples, and they wouldn't allow anyone to question his status.

The man in blue replied, "In the extreme west, in Tian Wei, there is a sword cultivator known as the Heavenly Sword Daoist. Seven hundred years ago, he was the number one sword cultivator of Tian Wei. Later, he secluded himself deep in the mountains, dedicating himself to comprehending the Dao of the sword. Recently, sword intent erupted in Tian Wei, proving that he is still alive. If not for Sword Master Of Dao's swift action, it would have been this senior who destroyed the Ephemeral Blossom Sect."

Tian Wei, one of the Nine Dynasties, was located in the far west. It had long been plagued by demons, but its territory was even larger than that of Tai Cang, a testament to its immense national strength.

Gu An could sense that this man was hiding his cultivation. On the surface, he appeared to be at the Core Formation Realm, but in reality, he had already reached the Divine Transformation Realm.

He cast a lifespan investigation on him.

[Si Zhe (Divine Transformation Realm, 2nd Layer): 289/800/1300]

Hidden cultivation and boasting about Tian Wei's cultivators—this guy was definitely not a Tai Xuan Sect disciple.

Gu An remained silent, observing as the surrounding disciples began to verbally attack Si Zhe.

Si Zhe, however, remained calm, indifferent to the insults and ridicule hurled at him.

"Heavenly Sword Daoist may have once been formidable, his name resounding across the land, but that was in the past. Now, you, as a prince of the Tian Wei royal family with the Fire God bloodline, dare to speak such nonsense in the Tai Xuan Sect? Are you trying to incite a battle?"

A voice rang out, causing everyone to turn their heads. They saw Han Ming, the Sword Maniac of the Great Yu Dynasty, approaching.

Si Zhe turned and saluted, saying, "So it's Senior Sword Maniac. I've heard that you've been staying in the Tai Xuan Sect for many years. Are you considering joining the sect?"

He smiled warmly, but his words made people uncomfortable.

"Hmph! If it weren't for the favor your father once did for me, you'd already be a corpse. Do you think your Divine Transformation Realm cultivation can block a single sword strike from me?" Han Ming snorted coldly.

Divine Transformation Realm!

With those words, the disciples who had been insulting Si Zhe turned pale and quickly retreated.

"In that case, there's no need for me to keep up the act."

Si Zhe chuckled, then looked around and shouted, "I am the disciple of the Heavenly Sword Daoist, the prince of Tian Wei, Si Zhe. Today, on behalf of my master, I challenge Sword Master Of Dao. Three months from now, my master will personally descend upon the Heaven Mending Platform to challenge his swordsmanship!"

His voice echoed beneath the heavens, heard by everyone in the city.

Someone was challenging Sword Master Of Dao?

Han Ming laughed. He had been the first sword cultivator to challenge Sword Master Of Dao. He reminded, "The Ephemeral Blossom Sect had a great cultivator who surpassed the Body Fusion Realm. Does your master possess such cultivation?"

Si Zhe closed his fan and smiled, "Of course he does. My father was about to invite him to deal with the Ephemeral Blossom Sect, but we were a step too late."

His arrogant tone, as if the Heavenly Sword Daoist had already secured victory over Sword Master Of Dao, further infuriated the Tai Xuan Sect disciples.

An elder suddenly appeared beside Si Zhe and whispered something to him. Si Zhe's expression changed slightly. He snorted and said, "Let's go then. In any case, I've delivered the message. Whether Sword Master Of Dao accepts the challenge is up to him."

With that, he followed the elder and left.

Gu An watched his departing figure with growing wariness.

Sword Master Of Dao had just thwarted the Ephemeral Blossom Sect's plot, and his reputation was at its peak. For someone to challenge him now, they must have considerable strength.

Without overthinking it, Gu An left the Heaven Mending Platform, intending to check on Wu Jue.

A month ago, Wu Jue's lifespan had increased again, which piqued Gu An's curiosity about just how far his lifespan could extend.

...

Inside the pavilion of the Third Medicine Valley.

Lü Baitian scoffed, "Tian Wei truly has great ambition. They want to suppress the Tai Xuan Sect and seize control of the Nine Nether Path. The Heavenly Sword Daoist may be powerful, but if he dares come to the Tai Xuan Sect, he's courting death!"

It had been a month since Si Zhe's challenge, and the news had already spread throughout the Tai Cang cultivation world. Cultivators from various sects and regions were flocking to witness the battle.

Lü Baitian, ever the opportunist, seized the chance to promote the Gold List across the cities.

The so-called Gold List was a ranking of the world's most talented individuals under five hundred years old, covering the Nine Dynasties. It created quite a buzz and spread like wildfire.

Gu An asked worriedly, "There won't be any infighting among the sects of the Nine Dynasties, will there?"

"Rest assured. With the impending demon invasion, no one dares to act recklessly. Besides, the main branch of the Ephemeral Blossom Sect may still be causing trouble on the Nine Nether Path. At that time, the sects of the Nine Dynasties will have to unite. Otherwise, no sect can guarantee victory over the main branch of the Ephemeral Blossom Sect in a one-on-one battle. That's precisely why Tian Wei sent the Heavenly Sword Daoist to suppress us under the guise of a duel." Lü Baitian waved dismissively.

Gu An asked again, "But what if Sword Master Of Dao kills the Heavenly Sword Daoist? Won't that spark a war?"

Han Ming was troublesome enough. Now this?

Gu An couldn't stand it any longer. This time, he was determined to take action and put an end to these constant sources of trouble.

"Absolutely not. If even the Heavenly Sword Daoist is killed, Tian Wei will only become more fearful of the Tai Xuan Sect! Sword Master Of Dao would do well to kill the Heavenly Sword Daoist!" Lü Baitian snorted, a fierce expression on his face.

Gu An suddenly recalled that this guy had been impeached by the Elder's Hall in the past for his overly aggressive behavior.

Lü Baitian's tone shifted as he said, "An Hao is Sword Master Of Dao's disciple. Do you think his appearance in front of me is Sword Master Of Dao's way of sending me a message?"

"A message about what?"

"That my position as sect master is unstable."

When Lü Baitian said this, his eyes became deep, and his tone became elusive, leaving people uncertain about what he was thinking.

Gu An couldn't help but laugh bitterly, saying helplessly, "If that's the case, then hasn't Chu Tianqi already died?"

Lü Baitian asked, "Do you think that's not the case?"

"An Hao is incredibly gifted. He must be favored by Sword Master Of Dao. If it were you, would you send your most cherished disciple to your enemy's side as a sword bearer?" Gu An felt Lü Baitian was overthinking things.

"You make a good point." Lü Baitian laughed.

But seeing his smile made Gu An's heart skip a beat.

Wait a minute!

Why was he even asking him this?

Lü Baitian continued, "An Hao is too talented. Once he fully matures, he'll easily earn the respect of everyone in the Tai Xuan Sect, just like that senior true disciple. Kid, if you don't become sect master, then the position will fall to him."

"Wouldn't that be better? I don't want the position anyway."

Gu An shook his head, and Lü Baitian smiled, saying no more.

Before leaving, Gu An inquired about Ye Lan's situation. The first team to venture into the Nine Nether Path had already set out.

Lü Baitian reassured him, "Don't worry. I personally instructed the leading elder to take care of her."

With the Azure Swan Sword, Gu An could always sense Ye Lan's condition, but he would only intervene in moments of extreme danger. Otherwise, he didn't want her to feel neglected or bullied.

The two chatted for a while longer, and before leaving, Lü Baitian left behind a book.

After he left, Gu An picked it up.

Inverse Life Divine Art!

...

At dusk.

Li Ya, carrying the North Sea Heavy Sword, walked to the edge of the Heaven Mending Platform, gazing at the statue of Sword Master Of Dao with undisguised excitement in his eyes.

"Ancestor, the founder of our lineage really is Sword Master Of Dao!" Li Ya roared in his heart.

The ancestor was also shocked, sighing, "I always thought he was..."

"A demon lord of the Thousand Autumn Pavilion?"

"Yes."

"Hahaha! I knew it. Our founder couldn't possibly be a demonic cultivator!"

Li Ya was elated. On his way here, he had already heard about the Heavenly Sword Daoist's challenge, so he had specifically come to the Heaven Mending Platform to admire Sword Master Of Dao's image, only to discover that Sword Master Of Dao was indeed the founder of the Li family.

He began eagerly anticipating the upcoming battle!

"Why don't you go and see your junior brother, Gu?" the ancestor's voice suddenly teased.

Li Ya replied in his heart, "I won't bother him for now. Given my recent experiences, I have nothing to show. I'll wait until I've mastered the Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword. Besides, with the Tai Xuan Sect's Gold List event coming up, I intend to make a name for myself!"

His voice brimmed with confidence.

Having consumed the Dragon Elephant Divine Energy and learned the Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword, his confidence was at an all-time high.

Seven steps away, another figure approached and began admiring the statue of Sword Master Of Dao.

Wu Jue!

As he gazed at the statue, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"Master, you revered Sword Master Of Dao the most in life. Unfortunately, you won't be able to witness the upcoming battle."

This was what Wu Jue thought as he remained silent, lost in his thoughts.

Gradually, he began to grasp enlightenment.

Li Ya watched for a while before turning to leave.

"Wait!" The ancestor's voice suddenly rang out.