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

In the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An went downstairs and returned to the stone table, where he watched the grand battle of the Tian Bang Tournament with the disciples.

Killing Sage Bi Luo earned Gu An a lifespan of more than seven thousand years, which wasn't too bad.

Sage Bi Luo was over seventy thousand years old. He hadn't broken through a minor realm in over ten thousand years, so he had been searching for immortality opportunities for many years. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm targeted his needs to lure him into action.

Gu An did not sympathize with Sage Bi Luo; people always have to take responsibility for their choices.

What he was considering now was how to deal with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.

If the Seven Stars Spirit Realm hadn't plotted against him, he might not have confronted them. After all, delaying time was more beneficial to him.

The first match of the Tian Bang Tournament had not yet ended. It was difficult for Great Cultivators of the same realm to determine a winner. Gu Xuan and Zhou Zu both had Mystic Heart Realm cultivation and evidently had a real grudge, using all their skills to the fullest, providing a feast for the spectators' eyes.

"It is said that the Zhou Family has withdrawn all its disciples from the Supreme Sect, while the Gu Family has done the opposite, fully supporting the Supreme Sect. Both sides are clashing, likely hiding a battle of pride."

"With Sword Venerable Fudao around, how could the Zhou Family be so short-sighted?"

"Who knows what kind of bewitching potion the Cangtian Sect gave the Zhou Family."

"It is said that until now, Sword Venerable Fudao has not attacked other sects, so those sects might hold onto illusions, thinking they have a chance to win him over."

"The combat between Mystic Heart Realm cultivators is already so fierce; I cannot imagine what the battle between Mahayana Realm cultivators would be like."

The Supreme Sect was abuzz with discussions about the Tian Bang combats, and the grudges between the Zhou Family and the Supreme Sect spread throughout cities and towns.

An Xin and Xiaochuan, who were beside Gu An, were discussing this matter. You Yingying from the Star Sea Congregations ridiculed the Zhou Family for their stupidity in believing the Cangtian Sect's nonsense.

In her view, the only reason Sword Venerable Fudao stayed at the Supreme Sect was due to a sense of affinity. The combined resources of the Three-Morning Land couldn't possibly entice him.

Yang Jian was also pondering what charm the Supreme Sect had to keep his master there.

The first match of the Tian Bang Tournament concluded with Gu Xuan's victory. As the host, the Supreme Sect gained considerable prestige, even the overseas cultivators had to change their views on them.

Though the foundations of the Supreme Sect were still weak, the sect's momentum was now unstoppable.

The second match was between overseas cultivators. Gu An suspected that Lv Baitian manipulated it again, but it didn't matter much, as the Tian Bang Tournament was a knockout competition. When they lose, they are eliminated. For those aiming to win first place, they only cared about the final victory. Even if other cultivators had opinions about the rankings, they could not afford to lose face in front of the world.

This match, a combat between Mahayana Realm cultivators, was magnificent, with spells and divine skills displayed in grandeur, causing the bottom of the Luotian Floating City Battle Array to glow with a rainbow of light.

The Mahayana Realm cultivators' battle lasted nearly two ancient hours before a winner emerged. Most spectators did not find it tedious and remained excited.

The Tian Bang Tournament continued day and night; even at night, there were combats.

On the third day, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin came to find Gu An to watch the battle together. They had learned that there was a match involving Li Ya today, so they wanted to witness Li Ya's divine skills together.

Ye Lan sat beside Gu An, reminiscing about their days in the Mystic Valley.

Recalling the past, neither she nor Zhen Qin could have imagined reaching today. Whether it was Ye Lan or Zhen Qin, they had thought reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm in their lifetime would be good enough. But now, with their opportunities, both had achieved Divinity Transformation.

Considering only their age, they were undoubtedly rare geniuses, but they knew they were not true geniuses, so they remained humble and filled with reverence for immortal cultivation.

Gu An also fell into memories. Being able to help those around him live better lives gave him a great sense of accomplishment.

Immortal cultivation should not be pursued without emotion, at least that was how he felt.

As noon approached, it was finally Li Ya's turn.

When the ancient sect called out Li Ya's name, a deafening cheer erupted throughout the Supreme Sect. The name of Divine Exotic City had long resounded across the world. Although Li Ya's talent wasn't as great as An Hao's, no one underestimated him because of his Immortal Path Supreme Treasure.

Li Ya's return clearly meant to help the Supreme Sect contend for the first place in the Tian Bang Tournament. How could the disciples not cheer for him?

Listening to the cheers from all around, a smile appeared on Gu An's face.

A hundred years ago, before leaving the Mystic Valley, Li Ya had boasted that he would one day be famous worldwide. Today, he achieved his ambition.

"I hope a thousand years from now, you will stand at an even higher place and have more people cheering for you," Gu An thought as he looked at Li Ya in the sky display.

People's characters and pursuits differ, leading them to choose different paths. Gu An desired longevity, and before reaching the other shore of longevity, he couldn't comfortably enjoy fame.

Li Ya was different. He yearned for freedom and fame, walking a path completely different from Gu An's. Gu An did not think his path was wrong; after all, not everyone had the ability to steal lifespans like him.

If he didn't have that ability, Gu An would also have to go on the run, risking everything for opportunities.

Gu An eagerly anticipated seeing how far Li Ya could go, whether he could transcend Heavenly Destiny and achieve Nirvana.

Li Ya's ultimate lifespan had not increased until now.

Within the Luotian Floating City Battle Array, Li Ya stood proudly with a Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit perched on his shoulder. The small, pitch-black creature bared its teeth and claws at Li Ya's opponent, looking very cute.

Li Ya's opponent was an old man in a Taoist robe with third-layer Nirvana Realm cultivation. At this moment, facing Li Ya, the man's expression was solemn.

He silently cursed the Supreme Sect for their shamelessness.

Dealing with Li Ya, even if he won, it would not be a fair victory due to the significant gap in their cultivation levels. But if he lost, he would be utterly embarrassed.

Why didn't they arrange a Loose Immortal opponent for Li Ya, who had an Immortal Path Supreme Treasure?

Were they using him as a whetstone?

The Taoist-robed old man took a deep breath, drew out his Dharma Treasure, and prepared for battle.

Li Ya said nothing and directly summoned the Divine Exotic City. The Divine Exotic City flew out of his body, rapidly expanding and transforming into a phantom that enveloped his figure, continuously occupying space inside the array.

The appearance of the Divine Exotic City caused a clamor throughout the Supreme Sect.

Most cultivators were seeing the Divine Exotic City for the first time, and they were very excited.

With the Divine Exotic City visible, the battle's outcome was already predictable.

Although it was a duel between Li Ya and the Taoist-robed old man, in reality, it was the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit fighting on behalf of Li Ya.

However, inside the Divine Exotic City, Li Ya would also bear some pressure. If he faced a Wandering Immortal in a prolonged battle, the Divine Exotic Immortal Spirit might be undefeated, but Li Ya could be shaken to death.

Of course, there were no Wandering Immortals in the Tian Bang Tournament; the only Wandering Immortal had already been slain by Gu An.

The following battle had the spectators entirely appreciating the power of the Divine Exotic City. The endless swarms of Divine Soul Demons surged out, their combined aura both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

After Li Ya's victory, the atmosphere of the Tian Bang Tournament reached its peak.

Gu An saw Shen Zhen still sketching the Divine Exotic City in front of his cave residence.

...

A month passed quickly, and the participants in the Tian Bang Tournament had been reduced from five hundred to thirty. Some had a bye in between, and the remaining thirty, besides Li Ya, were at least in the Mahayana Realm.

Besides Li Ya, the most prominent were Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord and Yan Qitian of the Star Sea Congregations.

Yan Qitian was at the ninth layer of the Loose Immortal Realm. Only Yellow-Robed Immortal Lord could match his true cultivation level.

Late at night.

In an estate within the Inner Sect City.

Yan Qitian was sitting cross-legged inside, cultivating energy to recover his mana.

He wore a close-fitting black robe embroidered with dragon and tiger patterns, looking very imposing.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps and immediately opened his eyes to see a dark purple demonic shadow appear inside the room, startling him to his feet.

"Who goes there?" Yan Qitian asked in a deep voice.

The other party had managed to reach him without detection. The footsteps were clearly an intentional alert; someone of such cultivation wouldn't make footsteps while walking.

He carefully scrutinized the figure, suddenly realizing something, his expression changed slightly, and he said, "Could it be that you are Sword Venerable Fudao?" Continue your journey on m|v-l'e m,p| y- r

Gu An's divine sense had already enveloped the estate; no one could spy on them.

He spoke, "What is the Star Sea Congregations' actual stance toward the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?"

Hearing this, Yan Qitian secretly relaxed as the other party had spoken, meaning they could talk.

Having witnessed the Vast Star Suppressing Heaven Boundless Sword, he didn't consider himself a match for Sword Venerable Fudao. Even Wandering Immortals couldn't take a single move from him; how could he resist?

He didn't answer immediately, instead, falling into deep thought.

Gu An cast a life span detection on him.

[Yan Qitian (Loose Immortal Realm Ninth Layer): 14590/25000/50000]

With a maximum lifespan of fifty thousand years, he seemed to have the potential of a Wandering Immortal.

Gu An thought silently and wasn't in a hurry, waiting for Yan Qitian's response.

In fact, he didn't need to ask. The Star Sea Congregations had long been at war with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. He was merely following protocol, examining the attitude of the Star Sea Congregations' cultivators toward the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.

Yan Qitian took a deep breath and said, "To be honest, our grudge with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm has lasted for hundreds of thousands of years, reaching an irreconcilable stage. It won't be long before the Star Sea Congregations launch a full-scale attack on the Seven Stars Spirit Realm."

He organized his thoughts about the happenings on this continent, feeling that Sword Venerable Fudao was against the Seven Stars Spirit Realm.

When Xuan Tianyi of the Supreme Sect returned to the Star Sea Congregations, he had spoken ill of the Seven Stars Spirit Realm everywhere.

Gu An said, "After the Tian Bang Tournament ends, return to the Star Sea Congregations and collect all information on the Seven Stars Spirit Realm for me, especially regarding the cultivation realms of their cultivators. I only want the information. You won't be short-changed. This is a personal deal between you and me, without involving the Star Sea Congregations. You must not mention this to anyone."

Hearing this, Yan Qitian was delighted.

Was Sword Venerable Fudao going to deal with the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?

He quickly agreed, "No problem. There's no need for a deal, senior. I'll collect the information for you for free. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm is not only your enemy but ours as well."

"Hmm, but it's best not to inform the Star Sea Congregations about this, at least not for now."

"Understood, senior!"

Gu An immediately disappeared from the spot.

Yan Qitian breathed a sigh of relief, feeling immense pressure facing Sword Venerable Fudao. It felt like walking on a knife's edge.

"Could it be that Sage Bi Luo was invited by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm?" Yan Qitian pondered. He had heard of Sage Bi Luo's deeds; this person rarely provoked others. His challenge to Sword Venerable Fudao before the Tian Bang Tournament was clearly out of enmity.