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

Chapter 193: A Friendly Match, No Lives Lost

Chapter 193: A Friendly Match, No Lives Lost

The scorching summer sun hung high as Gu An busied himself in Xuan Valley, harvesting medicinal herbs.

With the demon population dwindling, the sky had become clearer, an ever-deepening shade of blue.

Now, with the Three Dynasties, the Holy Land, and the Demon Emperor’s forces all actively hunting down remaining demons, Gu An’s lifespan harvesting had slowed down.

But that was fine.

Peace was good.

A quiet life, tending to herbs, cultivating in secret—that was true wisdom.

Lu Jiu Jia approached Gu An and softly asked, “Senior Brother, will you be participating in the end-of-year Alchemy Tournament?”

Ever since the Demon Ancestor’s fall, Lü Baitian had been constantly stirring things up—first by having Xuantian Yi write a book, and now by organizing the World’s Greatest Alchemy Tournament.

The extravagant rewards had drawn the attention of cultivators worldwide, and Taixuan Sect disciples were encouraged to participate.

From Lu Jiu Jia’s perspective, Gu An’s alchemy skills were exceptional.

He had helped countless errand disciples advance to the Outer Sect, and just within Xuan Valley alone, more than twenty disciples had reached Foundation Establishment thanks to his pills.

Every year, Third Medicine Valley welcomed new faces, all because of him.

But Gu An waved it off. “No need to join the crowd. My Golden Ranking title is enough for me to coast through life.”@@@@

There will be plenty more ‘world’s greatest’ tournaments in the future.

If there were ever a calligraphy tournament, he might actually join—after all, he enjoyed practicing his handwriting.

Lu Jiu Jia marveled at how much Taixuan Sect had changed.

Back when he first joined, the sect was nothing like it was today.

The sect’s reputation had improved, its power had grown exponentially, and the once-rare Nascent Soul cultivators were now overshadowed by Transformation Stage, Void Transformation, and even Integration Stage experts.

Stories of Profound Mind Realm cultivators had become commonplace.

With Taixuan Sect flourishing, more opportunities opened up for its disciples—even just helping organize the Alchemy Tournament earned generous rewards.

For disciples who had time but lacked resources, this was a golden opportunity.

Gu An listened carefully as Lu Jiu Jia spoke.

Hearing the perspectives of lower-ranking disciples was an excellent way to gauge whether the sect was truly thriving.

Wait a second...

Why am I thinking like a sect leader?

Damn Lü Baitian.

But truth be told, Gu An had grown accustomed to advising Lü Baitian from the shadows.

It was actually quite satisfying—giving orders without having to execute them, fulfilling his strategic desires without doing the actual work.

And Lü Baitian enjoyed it just as much.

If things continued like this, one day, Gu An might just take over the sect himself.

Months had passed since the Demon Ancestor’s fall.

Taixuan Sect had split its forces—sending Inner and Outer Sect disciples to exterminate demons, while dispatching lineage disciples and True Legacy disciples to explore the Demon Lands. ɌἁꞐǑbЕṠ

For the Three Dynasties, the Demon Lands were a vast, uncharted goldmine—even Profound Mind Realm Grandmasters couldn’t resist venturing into the unknown.

Even Lu Lingjun had left Third Medicine Valley to join the expedition, though her absence hadn’t impacted the valley.

After finishing his herb gathering, Gu An handed the materials to Lu Jiu Jia and departed from Xuan Valley.

His itinerary was packed.

Tianya ValleyXuantian Cave DwellingMountain God Dao TempleNianchu Cave Dwelling

And later that night—

A trip into the Eight Views Celestial Realm.

Despite the decline in demonic corruption, Gu An could still accumulate lifespan through harvesting herbs.

He even considered expanding Nianchu Cave Dwelling.

After all, he needed to find two female demon companions for Tian Yao’er.

Under the moonlit sky, Gu An sat at a stone table, sipping tea.

Across from him, Tian Yao’er was tending to two young cat demons.

The Demon Lands were filled with suffering creatures.

These two twin cat demons had lost their parents to corrupted demons last month.

Having barely escaped, they endured weeks of hardship before Gu An found them.

Watching Tian Yao’er joyfully caring for them, Gu An suddenly thought of An Xin.

Do all women love keeping pets?

Extending his divine sense, Gu An probed deep into the Demon Lands.

Stories about Lì Mo were spreading across the Three Dynasties, and he had now become humanity’s greatest fear—even more terrifying than the Demon Ancestor.

“The Demon Lands,” Xuantian Yi replied. “We’re going to hunt down Lì Mo, with the Holy Land leading the way.”

Gu An nodded. “Be careful. Don’t get reckless just because of your cultivation.”

Xuantian Yi scoffed, “Tch! You think you can lecture me? I’ve braved the seas, unlike you—just hiding away in Taixuan Sect. Don’t worry. Below the Immortal Dao, I am undefeated.”

Gu An looked at him. “And if you encounter an Immortal Dao being?”

Xuantian Yi smirked. “Then I’ll die with honor!”

With that, he turned and walked toward the door. Before stepping out, he glanced back.

“Hurry up and finish writing. I want to see if this book can surpass Romance of the Gods.”

Then he was gone.

Gu An didn’t bother seeing him off.

Surpass Romance of the Gods?

He chuckled and continued writing.

By the time the sun began to set, he finally left Third Medicine Valley.

Late at night, deep in the mountains.

A man in beast-hide robes walked silently beneath the trees.

A stone axe hung from his waist.

His gaze flickered toward a distant temple, where firelight flickered within.

For some reason, the presence inside felt oddly familiar.

It had been a month since Zhang Bukui left his cave.

Heading north in search of opportunities in the Demon Lands, he had avoided contact with both cultivators and demons along the way.

Now, standing before the temple, he felt tense—but curiosity won out.

Cautiously, he stepped closer.

“Since you’re here, why not come in?”

A voice drifted from beyond the courtyard wall.

Hearing it, Zhang Bukui exhaled in relief.

With a leap, he cleared the wall—landing beside the fire.

Across from him sat a black-clad man, his face sharp and cold.

Beside him lay a heavy sword, impossible to ignore.

They studied each other.

Finally, Zhang Bukui spoke.

“My name is Zhang Bukui. What’s yours?”

Though he could sense the man’s strength, he felt no fear—only slight unease.

The man replied, “Li Ya.”

Then, after a pause—“Why do you carry both human and demon aura?”

Zhang Bukui hesitated, then answered, “My father was human. My mother was a demon. Are you the same?”

Li Ya?

That name sounded familiar.

Had he heard it somewhere before?

Li Ya’s expression darkened. “Of course not. I only absorbed demonic essence from a spirit beast, nothing more.”

Zhang Bukui’s eyes dimmed slightly.

So he wasn’t the same.

Li Ya’s gaze drifted toward Zhang Bukui’s stone axe.

Suddenly, he stood up, grinning.

“Kid, how about a spar?”

Ever since he witnessed the Celestial Star-Suppressing Infinite Sword, his understanding of the Taicang Frightening God Sword had deepened.

After half a year of bitter training, he needed to test himself.

Zhang Bukui’s hand instinctively moved to his axe.

“Just a spar?”

Li Ya nodded. “Just a spar. No killing. I need to see how much my swordsmanship has improved.”

Zhang Bukui’s eyes lit up.

“Perfect timing. I’ve been training too. Let’s do it!”