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

"Great Cold Demon Sect? Life-Seizing Immortal? Where did they spring from?"

Shen Zhen furrowed his brows, muttering to himself, a hint of unease flickering in his eyes.

Gu An replied, "I'm not sure, but judging from that voice, it must be some enormous creature from the sea. Alas, just when things had quieted down for several decades, another major event occurs."

Shen Zhen offered some consolation, "Don't worry too much, the Sea Breaking Rift is so enormously far from us. There are many capable people in this world; evil will never prevail over good, and we'll eventually get through this."

Gu An nodded, but in his heart, he held a contrary opinion.

The forces behind the Great Cold Demon Sect already reached to the heavens.

According to Bai Ziya's words, since ancient times, the Great Cold Demon Sect and other major Demon Path sects with similar Qi Fortune have always acted as the Holy Court's knife, dealing with matters the Holy Court couldn't handle directly.

Of course, the Holy Court wasn't inherently malevolent, but they looked at the bigger picture of the entire Great Heaven and Earth, and sometimes they had to sacrifice certain creatures or wipe out an entire region's populace.

If the Holy Court truly had abandoned this place, what could be the reason?

Surely it couldn't be because of the Divine Exotic Realm?

The Divine Exotic Realm was irrelevant to them; it was something they could eradicate separately.

Gu An suspected there were deeper reasons that he was unaware of.

His Divine Sense reached out, and the Life-Seizing Immortal was not the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal who fought alone against those three Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts; rather, it was a Carefree Primordial Immortal. The arrival of this individual had interrupted that great battle.

Gu An watched as the Life-Seizing Immortal placed down a pagoda at the edge of the Sea Breaking Rift. The pagoda kept rising, breaking through the clouds, reaching a magnificent height of at least a hundred thousand zhang. Meanwhile, the Life-Seizing Immortal flew into the pagoda, and the three Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts fled into the Sea Breaking Rift, with the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal who had fought them also entering the pagoda, clearly in league with the Life-Seizing Immortal.

Gu An was curious to see if any other Carefree Primordial Immortals would take action within the next hundred years.

He continued discussing worldly matters with Shen Zhen; both of them were Minor Cultivators in the Immortal Cultivation World, and their talks about the world's major events were mostly filled with envy.

After not too long, Shen Zhen bid farewell. Gu An also rose to leave the building, preparing to discuss the Great Cold Demon Sect with the other disciples and cultivators in Medicine Valley.

The proclamation of the Life-Seizing Immortal had set the world abuzz, and everywhere that living beings congregated was abuzz with discussion of this matter.

When Gu An reached the chess playing area, Nine-Finger Divine Lord and Stealing the Five Elements were discussing the Great Cold Demon Sect with Great Cultivators from the Supreme Sect. The other disciples were looking on with tense interest.

Shen Xinzi was also sitting among the crowd; although he was often silent, he listened intently.

Ever since Shen Xinzi had spoken with Stealing the Five Elements, no conflict had arisen between them; they seemed to have reached some sort of agreement. At the time, Gu An had not listened in, as he did not think these two individuals capable of causing any significant ripples.

"The Great Cold Demon Sect has a history of a million years, and that Life-Seizing Immortal is a figure of legend; I never expected he would still be alive. We're in big trouble now," the Nine-Finger Divine Lord exclaimed. He didn't mention the Holy Court, clearly very wary of it.

A million years!

The gathered disciples' eyelids twitched at the thought; they could hardly imagine how long a million years was.

The younger disciples, however, harbored dreams of grandeur. They had not yet resigned themselves to their fates, feeling that there was still hope. The Third Medicine Valley was only the first stage on their path into the world of Immortal Cultivation.

There were countless tales within the Immortal Cultivation World of those with mediocre talent encountering great opportunities and defying fate to alter their destinies.

Gu An listened intently as if hearing a story, occasionally exclaiming with the surrounding disciples or displaying an incredulous expression.

Meanwhile, within the Main City of Sect.

In a residence, Lu Lingjun visited the courtyard of the Holy Mother of Western Spirit for a chat between master and disciple.

"The Great Cold Demon Sect rivals the Bitter Sea Buddha Sect in stature, and in terms of heritage, they're potentially even stronger. If the Great Cold Demon Sect's shadow looms behind the Sea Breaking Rift, we're in trouble…" the Holy Mother of Western Spirit sighed, revealing the existence of the Holy Court.

Lu Lingjun was hearing about the Holy Court for the first time, and she was astounded.

How vast was this world, after all?

The Holy Mother of Western Spirit also doubted that the region had been forsaken by the Holy Court; otherwise, the Great Cold Demon Sect would not dare to be so brazen, even giving a hundred years' notice, a clear sign they wanted other major sects to promptly evacuate.

Upon hearing this, Lu Lingjun couldn't help but ask, "A hundred years... Only the Immortal Cultivation Sects can evacuate in that time, but will all the myriad living beings who remain truly perish?"

The Holy Mother of Western Spirit spoke somberly, "The Great Cold Demon Sect has slaughtered countless beings. Adding up all the continents and maritime areas affected by the Sea Breaking Rift comprises but a small region of the entire Great Heaven and Earth. To the Great Cold Demon Sect, it's nothing significant, and the Holy Court will care even less. The fall of the life within this region wouldn't cause ripples across the world."

Lu Lingjun frowned deeply.

The Holy Mother of Western Spirit continued, "I have to return and ascertain the true reason behind the Great Cold Demon Sect's actions."

Lu Lingjun nodded, her thoughts drifting to the worst-case scenario.

As an Ascender, fleeing presented no issue for her, but having stayed in the Supreme Sect for so long, she had many concerns. She pondered how she might help those with whom she had relationships.

The Holy Mother of Western Spirit began to lament the complexity of the world's affairs.

Initially, she truly believed the Divine Exotic Realm meant to harm this region, but now it seemed the emergence of the Divine Exotic Realm was not so simple, surely backed by unimaginable forces in contention.

…

Dark clouds hung heavy, and a fine drizzle fell over Immortal Seeking Island.

In a courtyard, Gu An, Yang Jian, and Hu Xiaojian sat together, with Gu An listening to Hu Xiaojian relay information about the Great Cold Demon Sect.

Three days had passed since the Life-Seizing Immortal's declaration. During these three days, various sects across the seas revealed information about the Great Cold Demon Sect, with all sorts of messages reaching Immortal Seeking Island.

Yang Jian listened intently, his expression changing as the discourse progressed. The Great Cold Demon Sect described by Hu Xiaojian seemed even more terrifying, a veritable number one Demon Path in the world. Its innumerable Demon Immortals made it seem invincible, stirring a sense of dread within anyone who heard of it.

A real catastrophe had descended.

After a while, once Hu Xiaojian had finished speaking and moistened his throat with a sip of tea, Gu An asked, "Regarding the Reincarnation Path Emperor, have you managed to delve into that?"

The Reincarnation Path Emperor was a past life of Ji Xiaoyu, and Gu An always remembered this.

Hu Xiaojian shook his head and said, "I've found nothing. I even wonder if such a person exists at all. But since you've asked, there surely must be one. It's just that I'm of too humble a station to know of such high matters. At least, there's not a trace of information on Immortal Seeking Island."

Gu An was not upset, lightly glossing over the subject.

Hu Xiaojian put down his teacup, glanced at Gu An, and hesitated.

After a moment's pause, he rose and knelt to the side, bowing his head to Gu An.

"What is the meaning of this?" Gu An asked, a frown etching his face.

Hu Xiaojian looked up with a pleading expression, "I beg you to take me with you. The Great Cold Demon Sect is too powerful, and the higher-ups of Immortal Seeking Island are preparing to evacuate. As a mere Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, I won't be able to escape the area the Great Cold Demon Sect intends to destroy within a hundred years. Even if by some fluke I do escape, who knows if I'll be able to survive elsewhere. Senior, you are a Loose Immortal, able to come and go as you please... Could you take me with you? I'm willing to work like an ox or horse for you!"

Yang Jian sat to the side, his feelings complex.

A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, nonetheless!

Such a presence would be admired by Servant Disciples within the Supreme Sect, yet here he was bereft of even the confidence to survive at sea.

Gu An pondered for a moment and said, "Don't be hasty. Stay calm and remain on Immortal Seeking Island for the time being. If the sea's forces truly can't withstand the Great Cold Demon Sect, I'll take you with me. But until then, keep an eye on Sea Protection Mansion for me. If they're really prepared to abandon Immortal Seeking Island, I'll take over."

Hu Xiaojian was taken aback, not expecting Gu An to still be concerned about Immortal Seeking Island at such a critical juncture.

Yang Jian looked at his master.

Why did his master not fear the Great Cold Demon Sect?

His master claimed to be a Loose Immortal; could it be that Loose Immortal was not his realm, but his identity?

Hu Xiaojian wanted to persuade Gu An but feared offending him, so he simply agreed.

Gu An saw his hesitation and reassured him, "Don't underestimate this world, otherwise, the Divine Exotic Resentful Ghosts from within the Sea Breaking Rift would have already swept across the oceans, wouldn't they?"

Consoled by these words, Hu Xiaojian nodded his gratitude to Gu An.

Gu An waved his hand, helping him to rise, and invited him to sit and talk.

Hu Xiaojian continued to describe the Great Cold Demon Sect. He knew much about the sect, but when it came to the Life-Seizing Immortal, he knew nothing at all.

Gu An, however, began contemplating how to take control of Immortal Seeking Island.

First and foremost, he needed to place a puppet in power; he had to remain behind the scenes.

Leveraging the various channels of Immortal Seeking Island, he would be able to collect more medicinal herbs, and the prospect seemed quite interesting.

He felt as if he was about to play a management game and was quite looking forward to it.

To suppress Immortal Seeking Island, he would need at least a Wandering Immortal.

This choice required careful consideration.

As time swiftly passed, the rain grew heavier.

Two Ancient Hours later, Gu An left with Yang Jian, returning to the forested hills of the Supreme Sect.

This was not the first time Yang Jian had experienced the marvel of the Limitless Freedom Step, but as his Cultivation Level grew, the more in awe he became of his master's Divine Skills.

"Master, is there really anyone who can stand against the Great Cold Demon Sect?" Yang Jian ventured, his inquiry laced with careful thought.

He dared not directly question his master's prowess, so he opted for an indirect approach.

Gu An replied as they moved forward, "Who can be certain? At any rate, your master, I, am not confident."

Just not confident?

Yang Jian was secretly shocked. What was the true stature of his master?

Gu An was unaware of Yang Jian's thoughts. His intentional modesty only served to deepen Yang Jian's astonishment.

After listening to Hu Xiaojian, the Great Cold Demon Sect loomed as a nearly invincible and evil entity in Yang Jian's mind, the sort of final antagonist one would encounter in stories. Knowing that Gu An had the confidence to challenge the Great Cold Demon Sect, how could he not be amazed?

"Jian'er, cultivate diligently. Even if we survive this calamity, the trials to come will not be few. Since ancient times, every Great Cultivator has emerged through countless ordeals. The more peril there is, the more we must strive in our cultivation," Gu An spoke with heartfelt gravity.

Yang Jian nodded, replying, "Disciple always remembers your words, and I will cultivate as diligently as you."

He silently wondered how many years it had taken his master to reach his current height. Likely tens of thousands of years, or perhaps his master had existed even longer than the Great Cold Demon Sect, merely playing amongst mortals for amusement.

He trusted that his master would not deceive him, that his master too had persevered through countless hardships and dedicated cultivation to attain his present Cultivation Level.

Gu An continued to instruct Yang Jian. After all, part of the fun in having a disciple was the occasional lesson.

Unaware of his master's inner thoughts, Yang Jian nonetheless sensed his master's earnest intentions.