"What's the matter?" Gu An asked, praying in his heart that it wasn't something troublesome.
He did not want to be caught in the vortex of disputes in the Outer Sect.
Li Ya smiled and said, "Don't you like planting? I heard you mention before that you even helped manage a Cave Mansion for an Outer Sect Disciple. Now there's a good opportunity, with decent compensation. Manage it for a year, and you can get a Middle Grade Spirit Stone and a bottle of Spiritual Qi Pill."
As soon as Gu An heard this, he realized what it was about and heaved a sigh of relief.
An opportunity to earn life span was naturally not to be refused, especially since he did not cultivate much on normal days and had plenty of time.
He began to inquire about the employer's identity, and Li Ya did not hide it—the Outer Disciple was a good friend of Li Ya, whose Cave Mansion was near the Outer Sect City.
After Gu An agreed, Li Ya immediately took him there.
Li Ya flew on his sword, with Gu An standing behind him, both riding on a single sword. Their figures attracted the envy of Xiaochuan, Ye Lan, and others.
Who wouldn't envy flying on a sword?
The tall Tang Yu lamented, "If only our master could learn the Sword Control Technique from Elder Li Ya and teach us, how great would that be?"
Beside him, the slender and handsome Su Han nodded. Although he had been in Medicine Valley for four years, he still longed for the Outer Sect.
It wasn't just him; Tang Yu and Zhen Qin felt the same.
Ye Lan didn't say much but pulled Zhen Qin back to their courtyard to cultivate.
Elsewhere.
Above the mountains, Li Ya's Sword Control was very fast. His eyes fixed forward, his black robe fluttered and his hair danced wildly, displaying a free and unrestrained temperament.
"I noticed that there are more Servant Disciples in your Medicine Valley than before, Junior Brother Gu. Try to recruit fewer disciples and invest more Spirit Stones in your own cultivation," Li Ya said earnestly.
Although Gu An always claimed his talent was lacking, Li Ya still saw hope in him.
He did not want to remain vibrant a hundred years later while Gu An had aged.
Having been initiated into the Supreme Sect for so many years, Li Ya had a few good friends and some friends of benefit, but in his heart, none could compare to Junior Brother Gu.
Junior Brother Gu was the only person who was kind to him without expecting anything in return. Li Ya did not want to lose such friendship.
Gu An smiled and said, "Senior Brother Li, don't worry. The reason I recruit more disciples is because the garden areas inside Medicine Valley have increased. Each year I hand over more and more medicinal herbs. The Elixir Hall is gradually improving my treatment, and I won't give up cultivating."
Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Li Ya's face.
"That's right, you diligent fellow always manage to accomplish something."
"How could I compare to Senior Brother, with your reputation resounding throughout the Outer Sect."
The two began complimenting each other. Usually, Li Ya hated such courteous words, but for some reason, he was inexplicably happy hearing them from Junior Brother Gu.
Two hours later.
Li Ya dropped Gu An back at Profound Valley and then flew away on his sword.
As soon as Gu An landed, he was surrounded by two disciples, Su Han and Zhen Qin.
Curious about where Gu An had gone, Gu An did not hide anything and after a few words, sent them off.
The departure of Lu Jiujia had greatly stimulated the disciples of Medicine Valley, causing it to become much quieter. Whenever there was free time, the disciples would cultivate in their rooms, hoping to catch up with Lu Jiujia's pace soon.
Gu An returned to his room and picked up the Yin Yang Technique to start reading. Tonight, Jiang Qiong would be transmitting spells to him, and he was very much looking forward to it.
Who among the cultivators would mind having more spells?
Moreover, Gu An lacked many basic spells.
…
Late at night, in the Eight Scenic Cave Heaven.
Under the Cang Teng Tree, Jiang Qiong, dressed in white robes and with her black hair casually spread, looked like a fairy descended to earth, her exceptionally beautiful face full of annoyance.
"Why are you so obtuse? I've told you several times how to circulate the Sorcery, why can't you remember?" Jiang Qiong, barely holding back her anger, scolded.
She stood by Gu An's side, constantly eyeing the black energy in his hands.
She was teaching him the Soul Capturing Technique, a technique capable of seizing people's souls, extremely sinister in nature.
Gu An helplessly said, "Ancestor, you've only taught me for a short time, could you be a bit more patient?"
"It's not that... just..." Jiang Qiong suddenly did not know what to say.
Before regaining her body, she had looked forward to teaching Gu An, for in her eyes, Gu An was a genius, but the outcome was different from what she expected.
This lad was just too bizarre.
He grasped the Sword Control Technique instantly, but when it came to anything else, he was like someone who had just entered the Path of Cultivating Immortality.
In terms of the Sword Dao, Gu An was definitely the strongest genius she had ever seen, but the key was that she was not skilled in the Sword Dao.
"If I could easily learn everything, how could I end up as a Servant Disciple?" Gu An sighed.
Jiang Qiong struggled for a while, finally blurting out, "But you can't be that foolish, can you?"
Gu An's hand trembled.
Truly worthy of being from the Demon Dao, her words were damn hurtful!
Gu An's temper flared, and he said, "I have my strengths too. If we talk about talent in the Sword Dao, Ancestor, you might not even match up to me!"
Hearing this, Jiang Qiong burst into laughter and teasingly asked, "Oh really? Shall we have a try? Let's just spar with sword techniques and not use any Spiritual Power."
"Sure!"
Gu An released his hands, the black qi dissipated, and he stood up, ready to teach Jiang Qiong a lesson.
Jiang Qiong moved two steps to the side and raised her right hand, stretching out her index and middle fingers together, and said with a smile, "Since this is a sparring match, let's not hurt our feelings. Use fingers as the sword."
Gu An nodded, his left hand resting behind his waist, right hand in front.
Jiang Qiong squinted her eyes. For some reason, when Gu An raised his hand, she inexplicably felt panicked.
"What's gotten into me, being intimidated by a Foundation Establishment junior?"
Jiang Qiong inwardly cursed herself for losing the arrogance that once disregarded everything.
She immediately raised her fingers to strike Gu An. With this move, she brought out the speed of the Core Formation Realm.
Gu An's right hand struck her fingers horizontally like flicking a sword, knocking her arm away.
Jiang Qiong's eyes narrowed, her footsteps shifted, moving ghost-like beside Gu An, her fingers pointed like a sword towards his ribs.
Gu An turned around, his fingers pointed downward, stabbing and hitting her hand's back, causing her to feel pain and reflexively withdraw her hand.
Both of them maneuvered under the tree, countering each move.
Jiang Qiong's attacks were fierce; Gu An seemed to flow like clouds and water.
After thirty moves, Gu An clearly sensed Jiang Qiong's impatience. He intentionally revealed a flaw, letting her hit his abdomen, then he clutched it and staggered back.
Jiang Qiong did not pursue her victory. She stood up, staring intently at Gu An.
Gu An feigned a pained expression, frightened by her gaze.
What kind of look was that?
As if she wanted to devour him.
Jiang Qiong took a deep breath and said, "Very well, I underestimated your comprehension of the Sword Dao. Although your sword moves lacked a specific method, each was simple and direct, aiming at the opponent's weaknesses. You are a rare Sword Dao prodigy, seen perhaps once a century. With a good mentor, you would surely become renowned worldwide as a Sword Cultivator."
Gu An shook his head and replied, "Being renowned worldwide is too much, that would definitely bring me lots of trouble, and I hate fighting, let alone killing."
Jiang Qiong was taken aback and found it quite interesting.
This was the first time she encountered such a cowardly genius.
"It was the master who was anxious, I shouldn't have scolded you. Come on, continue practicing the Soul Capturing Technique. Even though you're suited for the Sword Dao, mastering some sorceries is essential for preparedness," Jiang Qiong motioned him over.
Gu An immediately approached and continued practicing the Soul Capturing Technique.
After a session of sparring, Jiang Qiong's attitude had greatly improved, speaking gently and even occasionally giving him goosebumps.
Thus, Gu An came to the Eight Scenic Cave Heaven every night to follow Jiang Qiong in practicing sorcery, only moving on to the next when a sorcery appeared on his Attribute Panel.
Jiang Qiong thought he was frustrated but did not insist, as she knew many sorceries herself.
While healing, she also found instructing her junior quite interesting.
Besides, every month Gu An would visit the Cave Mansion of the Outer Disciples to tend to the medicinal herbs.
...
At the end of the year, the winter snow fluttered, obscuring the sun and sky.
Wearing a straw hat, Gu An walked halfway up the mountain to a Cave Mansion. Just as he was about to take out the Token, he suddenly sensed something.
There were people inside!
And not just one!
Gu An immediately wanted to leave, but the conversation inside the Cave Mansion ceased abruptly; if he left now, it would confirm that he could penetrate the Restriction and perceive the situation inside.
He had no choice but to press the Token against the mountain gate, which then opened.
He stepped into the Cave Mansion, passed through the tunnel, and upon seeing three people inside, he paused, quickly bowed, and said, "I apologize, I wasn't aware the predecessors had returned. I won't disturb you."
With that, he turned to leave.
The master of the Cave Mansion, known as Chen Li, appeared to be just over forty, and had the refined air of a scholar. He raised his hand with a smile and said, "No need, you do your thing, we'll continue our chat."
Hearing this, Gu An could only turn back, bow again, and then head towards the medicinal herb area.
Gu An noticed the other two people, a man and a woman—the woman was Li Xuanyu, with whom he had previously crossed swords.
The man was not Shi Yang but another person, elegant and handsome, as if he had stepped right out of a painting, even captivating those of the same sex with his appearance.
Li Xuanyu watched Gu An, obviously recognizing him, yet she kept silent.
Gu An quietly checked the life span of the handsome man.
[Xiao Chenjun (Core Formation Realm Level 1): 58/621/1508]
Core Formation Level One!
Inner Sect Disciple?
As Chen Li watched Gu An begin to gather medicinal herbs, he turned to look at Li Xuanyu and Xiao Chenjun and sighed, "The Outer Sect Grand Assembly is soon to begin, hosted by the Supreme Sect this time. Our pressure is immense."
Xiao Chenjun smiled and said, "What's there to fear? The Outer Sect is not lacking in geniuses. Even if those Sects join forces, they will find it hard to surpass the Supreme Sect within the Tai Cang Dynasty."
Chen Li shook his head and said, "I've heard that the Ancient Hao Sect, Celestial Extinction Sect, and Thousand-Autumn Pavilion each have Dual Spirit Root geniuses in their Outer Sects who have intentionally held back their realms waiting for this Grand Assembly."
He paused, his gaze turning somewhat resentful towards Xiao Chenjun, "Junior Brother Xiao, why didn't you wait before breaking through? Your master must be aware of this."
Xiao Chenjun laughed and replied, "Senior Brother Chen, the Outer Sect Grand Assembly is held at least twice a century. How can we cultivators overly concern ourselves with winning or losing? Moreover, talents emerge in the Supreme Sect every year. Rest assured, the burden won't only fall on you."
The three of them chatted and laughed about the Outer Sect Grand Assembly, mostly between Xiao Chenjun and Chen Li, with Li Xuanyu occasionally interjecting.