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

An assembly for Outer Disciples from all over the world?

All the genius disciples of the Outer Sect are gathering at the Supreme Sect?

Does that include the disciples from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion?

Gu An listened with great interest. Such a grand event was sure to be exciting, but he worried whether a cultivator from Thousand-Autumn Pavilion would take this opportunity to approach him, pressing him for intelligence about the Supreme Sect.

Chen Li and the other two shifted their conversation to other subjects, eventually leading to the Inner Sect. Chen Li was very curious about the Inner Sect and what it was like.

Xiao Chenjun gave a brief description: the bustling Inner Sect City, the rich heritage of the various peak inheritances, the abundant mission rewards, etc. Gu An felt like he was listening to a story.

However, Gu An still didn't yearn for it.

Inner Sect Disciples also had to defend the Taicang Dynasty, not only exorcising demons from within the realm but also assisting the dynasty in repelling invasions from other dynasties—he found the thought headache-inducing.

After Gu An finished his tasks and harvested several hundred years of Life Span, he approached Chen Li, preparing to take his leave.

"You're quite meticulous in your work, can you also look after my Cave for me?" Li Xuanyu suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, Chen Li immediately replied with a smile, "The boy does work satisfactorily, adheres to rules, and since he comes recommended by Li Ya, we can certainly trust him."

Li Xuanyu stared at Gu An, awaiting his answer.

Under everyone's gaze, Gu An found it hard to refuse, so he nodded in agreement.

"You two seniors can continue your conversation; I will take him around to familiarize himself with the place," said Li Xuanyu as he got up to leave.

Gu An hurriedly bowed to Chen Li and Xiao Chenjun, then followed Li Xuanyu's pace.

Once the gate to the Cave was closed, Xiao Chenjun smiled and asked, "The Li Family's grudges are truly complex. What do you think—does Junior Sister Li have any enmity with Li Ya?"

Chen Li shook his head and said, "How could there be any grudge? If there were, she wouldn't have spoken up for Li Ya back then. He would have been killed by Shi Yang long ago. Now, with Shi Yang missing for several years, I suspect that he might have been killed by Li Ya."

Xiao Chenjun lifted his teacup, his eyes reflecting a subtle change.

...

After leaving the Cave, Gu An followed Li Xuanyu, both riding on the same Flying Sword but keeping a respectful distance.

Standing behind Li Xuanyu, Gu An could smell a unique, clean fragrance, which was far more delightful than the scent on Jiang Qiong.

Jiang Qiong, although she had cleaned herself up, still hadn't completely rid herself of the smell of death.

They traveled in silence; Li Xuanyu's cold demeanor made Gu An unwilling to speak.

Her Cave wasn't too far from Chen Li's, and soon they touched down.

Gu An distinctly felt that the Restraints around her Cave were stronger, and after entering it, this feeling grew even stronger.

The Spiritual Energy is so rich!

Li Xuanyu began to explain the origins and cultivation process of the herbs inside her Cave. Gu An listened attentively.

After about a 30 minutes, Li Xuanyu handed him a Token. With this Token, he could directly open this Cave; she offered him the same treatment as Chen Li.

For Gu An, harvesting Life Span from herbs was enough, but he wouldn't mind receiving Spirit Stones either.

Gu An gave a formal bow and took his leave.

"Wait, what's your relationship with Li Ya?" Li Xuanyu suddenly asked.

Gu An stopped and, turning around, said, "Li Ya is my senior brother, so naturally, our relationship is good."

He could tell that Li Xuanyu's relationship with Li Ya must be decent; else, she wouldn't use him, a mere Servant Disciple, to scheme against Li Ya, right?

Li Xuanyu said nothing more but nodded slightly.

Gu An bid farewell once again.

Managing a Cave for an Outer Sect Disciple wasn't exhausting—it typically involved visiting once every half a month or monthly. Gu An felt that he could take on some more work.

His enterprises became increasingly abundant, with the Eight Scenic Caves and Mystic Valley being the main trunk, and now with additional branches, his Life Span would grow.

He aimed to reach a hundred thousand years of Life Span as soon as possible!

...

As the winter snow melted away and spring arrived, the Mystic Valley began to be adorned with lanterns and streamers by evening twilight.

In front of the pavilion, the youngest, Zhen Qin, was squatting on the ground, cutting paper while quietly asking, "Master, what does the Spring Festival signify?"

She was nine years younger than Gu An, with a sweet face, big eyes, a petite figure, and a gentle personality; even Lu Jiujia and Xiaochuan held a fondness for her.

"When I was young, I heard an old man say that the Spring Festival represents the start of a brand-new year, to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. During this time each year, people wish each other good fortune. Since there aren't any festivals worth celebrating in Medicine Valley, let's just set the Spring Festival," Gu An said as he sat nearby, weaving a lantern.

Not far away, Wuxin, Xiaochuan, Tang Yu were hanging up lanterns and pasting red papers, Ye Lan was preparing dishes, and Su Han was checking the different garden districts.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin's face lit up with anticipation.

The idea about Spring Festival came to Gu An a few days ago when he overheard the people of Medicine Valley talking about their hometowns. He couldn't help but reminisce about his own home on Earth in a previous life, especially since it was the Spring Festival. So, he decided to make it Mystic Valley's first festival.

They could also plan other festivals in the future, making life in Medicine Valley less monotonous.

He just wondered if there were any other Earth transmigrants in this Mortal World.

Gu An pondered quietly, reasoning that he had crafted the story of the Spring Festival coming from an old man's tale as a precaution.

Just then, Gu An's brows furrowed slightly as he sensed two disturbing presences approaching the Mystic Valley, already less than ten miles away.

The Cultivation Levels of the two individuals were in the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet their auras were thick with the stench of blood.

They've killed many people!

The World Outer Sect Conference is about to begin, could it be that Demon Cultivators have come to visit?

Gu An silently prayed, hoping that the strangers would not enter their Medicine Valley.

However, what he feared came to pass; the two individuals flew directly towards Mystic Valley and, in no time, their figures appeared on the mountaintop, overlooking Medicine Valley.

They were a man and a woman, both dressed in deep purple robes, their demeanors sinister and enchanting; even in broad daylight, they looked like fierce ghosts.

The woman had a seductive figure, her face painted with dark makeup, her nails long like talons as she covered her mouth and laughed, "Mr. Xu, we're not far from the Supreme Sect's Outer Sect, why don't we rest here for a while? We could also inquire some information from the Servant Disciples here."

The man standing next to her was tall and burly, with a stern face and a purple crown on his head, set with a red gem that looked like a crimson vertical eye.

"A bunch of Energy Cultivation Realm worms, what can we learn from them?" the man in purple said coldly.

He hailed from the Wanyin Sect, his name was Xu Ruye, and he had come with his Daoist friend, Chan Ji, to participate in the World Outer Sect Conference.

Chan Ji laughed, "You know what those people from Supreme Sect are like, Mr. Xu; their strength isn't up to par, and they're fond of using their numbers to bully the few. It's better to arrive early and avoid trouble. Waiting here isn't such a bad idea."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ruye felt it made sense and leaped down, followed closely by Chan Ji.

Gu An looked up, and immediately cast Life Span Detection.

[Xu Ruye (Foundation Establishment Realm Nine Layers): 67/389/920]

[Chan Ji (Foundation Establishment Realm Seven Layers): 74/370/605]

It looks like they're both prodigies.

Gu An stood up, and Zhen Qin couldn't help but follow his gaze. Upon seeing Xu Ruye and Chan Ji, she was so scared that she quickly hid behind her master.

Xiaochuan, Wuxin, and Tang Yu also noticed the arrival of the two Demon Cultivators and immediately put down what they were doing to run towards Gu An.

Xu Ruye and Chan Ji landed in the garden, their gaze sweeping over the herbs, which made Gu An's heart tighten.

The security of Supreme Sect is too poor, isn't it?

Near such a grand event, don't they dispatch disciples to patrol?

Gu An cursed silently; of course, he also understood that, to the Supreme Sect, the value of Mystic Valley was just so-so, as it was planted with only Low-Rank Medical Herbs, meant to serve the Outer Sect.

Chan Ji turned her head, glanced at Gu An and the others, and asked, "Who is the Valley Master here?"

Gu An stepped forward, bowing, "I am the Valley Master. May I ask what matter brings the two seniors here?"

Chan Ji threw a flirtatious look at Gu An, and with a smile, she asked, "Young man, we are a husband and wife here to attend the World Conference at Supreme Sect, and would like to rest in your valley for a few days. What do you think?"

Xu Ruye's gaze fell upon Ye Lan and Zhen Qin standing behind Gu An, his cold eyes making the two ladies uneasy. Ye Lan furrowed her brows and stood in front of Zhen Qin.

Gu An felt displeased, but he sensed a familiar aura drawing near.

He asked, "May I ask which sect or faction the two believers hail from?"

Chan Ji's eyes turned cold, about to speak.

"What's the point of wasting words with him? We want to stay, and with his mere Qi Cultivation Realm fifth-layer cultivation, can he drive us away?" Xu Ruye said impatiently.

A terrifying murderous aura erupted from within him, turning all present pale, as if they were in a cold cellar.

"Do the two from the Wanyin Sect seek to be enemies with Supreme Sect?"

A cold and clear voice came from the sky, and everyone looked up to see Li Xuanyu standing on a Flying Sword, poised in the wind like an exiled immortal.

"Li Xuanyu!" Chan Ji pronounced each syllable slowly, her teeth clenched tight.

Li Xuanyu said, "Come with me."

With that, she turned to leave, quickly disappearing behind the mountains.

Xu Ruye leaped up, the gourd at his waist flying out, swiftly enlarging and landing beneath his feet. Chan Ji jumped up, landing behind him, and the two of them flew off on the gourd.

The people of Medicine Valley heaved a sigh of relief.

"Were those two Demon Cultivators?" Su Han couldn't help but ask; Xu Ruye's murderous aura had frightened him pale.

Wuxin said, "Yes, the Wanyin Sect is a powerful Demonic Sect."

Xiaochuan said discontentedly, "Aren't we at Supreme Sect a renowned righteous faction? Why invite Demonic Sects to come?"

The Disciples began to discuss the matter, all of them shaken by fear. If Li Xuanyu hadn't appeared, they might have faced a huge disaster that night.

Gu An turned his head towards the horizon and furrowed his brow slightly.

Afterward, he had everyone continue preparing for the Spring Festival, while he went back to his room to rest for a while.

Dusk fell, the sky turned a crimson red.

Gu An stood in front of the side window of the loft; he could already sense that there was a battle far away, very faint, probably thirty miles away from Mystic Valley.

Suddenly feeling something, he immediately flipped over the windowsill and vanished into the woods.

In the woods far away, the trees were toppled and the ground was scarred with shocking fissures. Xu Ruye and Chan Ji stood shoulder to shoulder, smug smiles on their faces.

Opposite them stood not only Li Xuanyu but also Li Ya.

"The Li Family's Nine Devastating Swords are indeed formidable, but your cultivation levels are not up to par," Xu Ruye said with a cold laugh, his right-hand fingers twitching as tendrils of purple energy circled around his fingertips.

Li Ya's corners of his mouth were stained with blood, the hand clutching his sword trembling, while beside him, Li Xuanyu's condition was similar, though her injuries were less severe than Li Ya's.

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