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

Shen Zhen’s words didn’t move Gu An in the slightest. Sketching someone’s battle? That was just asking for trouble. Besides, he wasn’t lacking in high-grade herbs at the moment—unless Shen Zhen could produce a seventh-grade herb to entice him.

Shen Zhen was from Dao Tian Sect of the Da Yu Dynasty, a place unimaginably distant. Even sending a simple message would take forever.

Gu An spoke up, “The entire city is in chaos. How could I be in the mood to paint? Miss Shen, we should find a place to hide instead, to avoid—”

A sudden explosion cut him off. The entire inn trembled violently, and a thick cloud of dust surged in through the windows, swallowing them both.

Shen Zhen swiftly grabbed Gu An’s waist and dashed out of the inn, heading for the backyard.

Gu An tried to pull away from her grip, but she held on tightly. Her gaze was serious as she looked toward the back of the inn and whispered, “Don’t move.”

Gu An was helpless.

You think you need to protect me, a ninth-level Grand Ascension cultivator?

Shen Zhen frowned and retrieved a long flute from her storage pouch with her left hand. Following her gaze, Gu An saw a figure burst out from the dust cloud on the other side of the inn.

He recognized him—Zhang Hong, an inner sect disciple who often meditated on sword techniques at the Heavenly Mending Platform. Gu An had seen him there many times but never expected him to be a Nightshade Sect spy.

Zhang Hong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, turned, and spotted them. Without hesitation, he swung his sword in their direction.

A sharp sword aura sliced through the roof, hurtling toward them.

The attack was too fast—so fast that Shen Zhen could only instinctively raise her flute to block.

Boom!

The sword aura exploded, leveling the entire inn in an instant. A massive dust cloud rose into the sky.

Zhang Hong leaped away and fled, pursued by several figures hot on his trail.

Looking around, the entire Outer Sect City was engulfed in battle. Even the Grand Elder, Lü Songhan, was fighting. The protective grand formation above the city trembled violently, on the verge of breaking.

As the dust settled, Shen Zhen pulled Gu An out of the wreckage. They looked utterly disheveled.

“Miss Shen, are you alright?” Gu An asked, though he could already tell her injuries weren’t life-threatening.

Zhang Hong was only at the first level of the Nascent Soul Stage. Although Shen Zhen had managed to block his attack, she had still suffered internal injuries.

Blocking a Nascent Soul cultivator’s sword strike with just a Core Formation cultivation? Shen Zhen wasn’t without her skills.

Underneath her veil, blood dripped from her chin, but she forced herself to remain composed. She said calmly, “I am the Holy Maiden of Dao Tian Sect—how could I be injured by some nameless nobody? Let’s find a place to hide first.”

She finally released Gu An and strode forward. He followed closely behind.

The entire city was in chaos, making it impossible to fly. They could only weave through the streets on foot.

Fortunately, they soon encountered disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall, who led them to an underground palace for refuge. The underground space was vast, sheltering many other disciples, most of whom were errand disciples.

Shen Zhen found a quiet spot, sat cross-legged, and took out a bottle of pills from her storage pouch to begin her healing process.

Gu An didn’t disturb her. He instead surveyed the underground palace to confirm there were no abnormalities before sitting down and closing his eyes, using his divine sense to observe the battles outside.

It wasn’t just the Outer Sect City that was in chaos—the entire Taixuan Sect was embroiled in battle.

Lü Baitian and others sensed the disturbance and were rushing back.

Without the support of Golden Spirit Lord, the Taixuan Sect would surely overcome this internal conflict, though not without casualties.

Gu An’s divine sense mainly focused on the Third Medicine Valley and Xuan Valley.

Xuan Valley, located outside the Outer Sect, remained untouched by the conflict. The chaos was primarily caused by Nightshade Sect spies within the sect.

The Third Medicine Valley was under protection. Gu Yu and a group of cultivators were defending it, and the battle had already begun.

As long as the herbs weren’t harmed, Gu An had no intention of interfering. The Taixuan Sect needed this trial by fire.

Time passed second by second.

With the return of Integration Stage grandmasters, the battles across the sect swiftly came to an end.

In less than one incense stick’s time, the Outer Sect City fell silent.

A figure emerged from the underground passage, exclaiming in delight, “The battle is over! Everyone can leave now.”

Hearing this, the disciples cheered, helping each other up as they prepared to exit.

Shen Zhen stood as well and looked at Gu An. “Why didn’t you offer to help me up? Look at everyone else.”

Gu An chuckled. “I don’t think your injuries are that severe. When we return to Medicine Valley, you can pick a batch of herbs as thanks for protecting me earlier.”

Shen Zhen smiled but didn’t respond. She simply walked alongside him, blending into the crowd.

Outside the underground palace, Gu An stepped onto the street and looked up. Dark clouds churned in the sky, and fiery dragons formed from spiritual energy coiled and danced, creating a breathtaking scene like celestial beings guarding the city.

He spotted an Integration Stage grandmaster hovering thousands of feet above. This was the same person who had struggled against Golden Spirit Lord earlier. Now, he appeared invincible and peerless.

Shen Zhen gazed into the distance, confirming that the battle had truly ended. She turned to Gu An and said, “I need to go back. You should return soon as well.”

With that, she turned and left.

She acted nonchalant, but once she was out of sight, Gu An clearly sensed her suddenly accelerating.

Her injuries would likely take months to fully heal.

Gu An wandered through the city, surveying the destruction. Many buildings had been damaged, and most disciples bore injuries as they inspected the city.

He sensed the auras of Zhen Qin and Ye Lan—both were unharmed, so he had no reason to check on them.

The mysterious aura he had felt days ago still lingered. Given the distance from the Taicang Empire, he couldn’t determine its origin, but he suspected it was related to the Nine Nether Path.

Golden Spirit Lord’s last words had warned that the Nightshade Sect’s main forces were coming. This calamity had only just begun. More Profound Mind Realm cultivators might appear in the future.

Truly, turbulent times.

As Gu An pondered, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a distant figure.

A seemingly ordinary disciple walked among the crowd. His physique, appearance, and cultivation were unremarkable, making him nearly invisible among his peers.

But something about him felt strangely familiar.

Time for a lifespan check!

【Wu Jue (Foundation Establishment, Second Layer): 63/280/310】

For the Outer Sect, such a lifespan wasn’t particularly remarkable.

Gu An watched Wu Jue carefully, and suddenly, he understood why this disciple felt familiar.

Comprehending the Dao!

Wu Jue was actually in a state of Dao enlightenment, which explained his dazed movements.

Gu An’s curiosity was piqued. He had experienced enlightenment before, but he never fully understood the changes it brought—his frequent use of lifespan to improve himself often obscured those effects.

Now, he had the opportunity to observe someone else’s enlightenment firsthand.

He followed Wu Jue at a distance of several yards.

As they walked, Gu An suddenly sensed a shift in Wu Jue’s aura. This wasn’t a rise in cultivation but a more profound transformation.

Instinctively, Gu An checked his lifespan again.

【Wu Jue (Foundation Establishment, Second Layer): 63/280/340】

Huh?

His maximum lifespan had increased by thirty years!

This was the first time Gu An had ever seen someone’s lifespan increase like this.

So this is the power of comprehending the Dao?

No wonder Han Ming claimed his swordsmanship improved drastically after enlightenment. Perhaps even talent and comprehension could be enhanced.

Gu An’s interest in Wu Jue deepened.