Saint Who Lay Low

An Hao, upon hearing Lü Baitian's words, couldn't help but take another look at Gu An. In his eyes, Gu An seemed so ordinary. The only reason he had stood in front of Gu An earlier was out of instinct, remembering how his own master had once protected him when he was weak.

But such an ordinary person—how could someone be pursued for the position of sect master?

Facing Lü Baitian's intense gaze, Gu An took a deep breath and said, "It's still not possible, Sect Master. Out of the friendship we've built in the Medicine Valley over the years, please spare me. I really don't want to get involved in any trouble—I just want to live peacefully and tend to my herbs."

Lü Baitian frowned.

No one had ever dared to refuse him, and now this was the second time.

Gu An continued, "I've heard from the Vice Sect Master that you usually focus on cultivation. If you want to pass the sect master position to me, it must be because you want help managing affairs. Why not establish a rank above the elders, restricted to three people, who will handle the sect's affairs? These three individuals could be chosen from the Elder's Hall and would answer directly to you. Also, you could make it a rule that the next sect master must be chosen from among these three. That way, the Elder's Hall wouldn't oppose it."

Lü Baitian's tightly furrowed brows relaxed. He gave Gu An a deep look but didn't respond. Instead, his gaze shifted to An Hao.

"What's your name, and what is your relationship with Chu Tianqi?" Lü Baitian asked.

An Hao immediately cupped his fists and answered, "My name is An Hao. I am sixteen years old and have been in the Tai Xuan Sect for over three years. Chu Tianqi is my master."

This boy was clever, making sure to point out both his age and the length of time he had been in the sect.

Not only did he reveal his exceptional talent, but he also clarified that his relationship with Chu Tianqi wasn't deep.

Gu An felt a surge of relief. If Lü Baitian insisted on killing An Hao, then Gu An would have to take action.

To be honest, in any scenario, Lü Baitian was not fit to be the sect master, but Chu Tianqi's actions were even more despicable.

"An Hao, are you the one with the Heavenly Spirit Root? The prodigy who was taken by the Elder's Hall as soon as you entered the outer sect?" Gu An exclaimed in apparent surprise as though recalling something.

An Hao nodded calmly, his expression composed as he looked at Lü Baitian without a hint of arrogance.

Lü Baitian observed him for a moment before asking, "If I were to take you as my disciple, would you be willing?"

An Hao answered immediately, "Of course, I'd be honored. However, I cannot harm my master. Although I've only met him a few times, we are still bound by the name of master and disciple."

When under a roof, you must bow your head!

In his heart, An Hao was deeply wary of Lü Baitian. The technique Lü Baitian had used earlier was far too sinister, no different from a demonic cultivator.

But he had to survive.

Chu Tianqi? What does he count for?

In An Hao's heart, he knew he only had one true master.

Lü Baitian smiled and descended from the steps, walking toward Gu An and An Hao.

"From now on, An Hao, you will be my personal disciple. As for you, Gu An, since you are unwilling to become my disciple, I won't force you. After this calamity passes, if you ever need anything, feel free to come to me. I will visit you often," Lü Baitian said, his previous overbearing demeanor replaced by a calm, kindly tone, like an elder speaking to the younger generation.

With a wave of his sleeve, Gu An and An Hao were lifted into the air by his spiritual energy.

When An Hao opened his eyes again, he found himself high in the sky, standing on a dark cloud. Lü Baitian stood ahead of him, and Gu An was by his side.

Lü Baitian's terrifying aura erupted, stirring the thunderclouds above, drawing the attention of countless cultivators in the cities below.

He flicked his finger, sending a beam of energy shooting across the sky, crossing dozens of miles to slay a Nascent Soul demonic cultivator, whose body and primordial spirit were both obliterated.

Divine Finger Of Spirit Gathering!

Though Divine Finger Of Spirit Gathering he used didn't create as much commotion as when Gu An had used it, its lethality was undiminished.

Lü Baitian rode the clouds into the city, flicking his fingers to kill demons, each finger taking down one demonic cultivator with ease.

An Hao was awestruck. What kind of spell is this?

Gu An, however, focused on Lü Baitian's aura, sensing that his cultivation was still growing.

More and more people noticed Lü Baitian's presence. The demonic cultivators were filled with terror, while the Tai Xuan Sect disciples felt their morale soar.

"Who is that? He's so powerful!"

"Wait... isn't that the former sect master? How is that possible?"

"You mean Lü Baitian? Is that really him?"

"Hiss—That demonic cultivator killed hundreds of our Core Formation disciples, yet he was slain with just one finger! What kind of cultivation is this?"

"This aura... my heavens..."

The inner sect city below erupted in shocked whispers. Gu An and An Hao stood behind Lü Baitian, silently witnessing his massacre.

The news of Lü Baitian's resurrection spread quickly. Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, all the battlefields of Tai Xuan Sect were abuzz with the knowledge that Lü Baitian was alive and slaughtering the demonic forces.

In another inner sect city, a group of demonic cultivators was setting up a formation amidst the ruins. A purple-robed woman in charge frowned and asked a nearby disciple, "Where is Demon Lord Xu Lian? Why hasn't the formation been set yet?"

No one could answer her. The other disciples of Tianjue Sect were also anxious. They could feel a terrifying aura in the distance that made their blood run cold.

Meanwhile, far away in Xuan Valley, Yang Ni and Li Ya also sensed the immense aura.

The two stood atop a mountain, gazing into the horizon. Li Ya frowned and asked, "What cultivation level is that?"

Yang Ni didn't respond, for she wasn't sure either.

All she could sense was that the aura wasn't demonic. It was vast and righteous, signaling that the Tai Xuan Sect was about to achieve victory.

But this didn't surprise her. Tai Xuan Sect had always found a way to overcome disasters throughout history. No other sect had stood as long as Tai Xuan Sect in this land.

…

In Tianya Valley, Li Xuandao, Lü Xian, Yi Liuyun, and Luo Hun stood together atop a mountain, gazing toward the direction of Tai Xuan Sect.

"Inverse Life Divine Art... truly incredible, it must be the greatest technique of the age," Li Xuandao marveled.

Yi Liuyun snorted, "Great technique? It's clearly a demonic art. The corruption in Tai Xuan Sect started with him."

Lü Xian nodded. "That old man wasn't always in seclusion. He pretended not to know about many things. His faked death was likely a way to cleanse Tai Xuan Sect and weaken the demonic sects. That's always been his style. He's too arrogant, believing that with his cultivation, no storm could threaten him."

Lü Xian's tone was filled with complex emotions whenever he spoke of Lü Baitian.

"If that person were still alive, Lü Baitian would be in trouble," Yi Liuyun remarked.

Lü Xian responded, and the two began to discuss Lü Baitian.

Li Xuandao continued gazing into the distance, his thoughts deep.

After a long while, Lü Xian noticed Li Xuandao had been silent for too long and said comfortingly, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Though the old man is strong, his talent is not as great as mine. Give me time, and I will surpass him!"

Li Xuandao smiled. "Then you'd better grow quickly. I can't wait forever."

"When I reach the Body Fusion Realm, I will take the old man's head and offer it to you as tribute!" Lü Xian declared confidently, causing Luo Hun to glance at him sideways.

…

By dusk.

Gu An landed back in the grass of the Third Medicine Valley and looked up to see that Lü Baitian and An Hao were already gone.

He had followed Lü Baitian through a slaughter within the inner sect. Lü Baitian had said that since Gu An wasn't interested in becoming the next sect master, he wouldn't be allowed to see the rest of what happened. Along the way, Lü Baitian had set him down.

Aside from Lei Zhen, Lü Baitian hadn't encountered any other Body Fusion Realm cultivators, but his display of power had left Gu An feeling an intense sense of danger.

For now, their relationship was good, but what if they became enemies later?

Gu An could sense a strong bloodthirstiness in Lü Baitian—something that hadn't been present when he had disguised himself as Old Man Tian.

One had to admit, Lü Baitian's ability to control his true nature was what made him terrifying.

Gu An pondered this as he started inspecting the nearby herbs.

Before long, a figure flew toward him and landed by his side. It was Shen Zhen.

"That person who brought you back earlier—was he the previous sect master, Lü Baitian?" Shen Zhen asked excitedly, her curiosity piqued.

Gu An nodded and asked, "What? Are you interested?"

"Of course! He was the lifelong enemy my father talked about. How is he alive again? What did you see while you were with him?" Shen Zhen asked, growing even more excited as she pulled out paper and a pen.

Gu An rolled his eyes. "Sis, if you're going to gather information, could you be a little more subtle? You're fearless, but I'm not! I don't want to be labeled a traitor."

He suspected that Shen Zhen wasn't as simple-minded as she appeared, but since she had no reason to harm him, the only explanation was...

She was just devious!

Maybe she just enjoyed watching others squirm.

Unrelenting, Shen Zhen kept pestering Gu An with questions, sticking around until he finally couldn't take it anymore.

"If you keep following me, I'll write a story about a medicinal knight, and you'll be the first woman the hero encounters. I'll even draw illustrations—more detailed than yours!" Gu An threatened, his eyes gleaming.

Shen Zhen's face flushed red, and she glared at him before stomping her foot and flying off in a huff.

Gu An stood there, stunned. Why hadn't she cursed at him?

Her expression didn't seem like she was angry...

Shaking his head with a smile, Gu An returned to inspecting the valley.

As the sun set and the moon rose, Tai Xuan Sect remained in turmoil. When Gu An returned to Xuan Valley, he could feel powerful divine senses sweeping through the area. The demonic and evil energies were weakening, a sign that Tai Xuan Sect was on the verge of victory.

Snowflakes drifted softly in the moonlight.

Gu An and Li Ya sat on the steps, talking in low voices about Tai Xuan Sect's history. Most of the time, Li Ya was explaining while Gu An asked questions.

By dawn, Li Ya's inner disciple token received a command, summoning all inner disciples back to the city. He had no choice but to bid Gu An farewell.

After Li Ya left, Gu An turned to Yang Ni and used a voice transmission to ask, "The war between the righteous and demonic forces is nearly over. Shouldn't you be heading back as well?"

Yang Ni glanced at him and replied via voice transmission, "When did I ever say I was only protecting you until this battle ended?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm staying by your side from now on, by order of Li Xuandao."

"Is that true?"

"You can ask him yourself if you don't believe me."

Gu An fell silent for a moment before using voice transmission to ask, "Is His Majesty powerful?"

He wanted to gauge how others viewed Li Xuandao.

Li Xuandao had ambitions to become an immortal emperor, but the immortal sects were holding him back. Among them, wasn't Lü Baitian the strongest and most influential?

And with Li Xuandao pulling Lü Baitian's son, Lü Xian, into his fold, Gu An felt that these two were bound to clash eventually.

Given Li Xuandao's talent, he could indeed rise to power.

Outwardly, he only showed Core Formation Realm cultivation, likely to avoid provoking Lü Baitian.

The conflict between these two would be a battle between the Royal path and the immortal path.

"In terms of cultivation, he's average. But in terms of Royal tactics, he's frighteningly skilled," Yang Ni responded via voice transmission, her tone dripping with disdain. It was clear she held a grudge against Li Xuandao.

Gu An was about to ask more when he suddenly sensed something. "Can you guard the valley for another half a day? I need to check on the outer sect city."

There was a demonic straggler nearby!