Steadily becoming a saint, the immortal officials hired me to tend the horses Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Sword Intent Shocks the Sect

```

"No," Gu An flatly refused. How could there be any opportunities when the Supre Sect was just recovering from a catastrophe?

Lv Baitian was taken aback, not expecting such an outright refusal, and imdiately retorted in annoyance, "Brat, I haven't even said what the opportunity is!"

Gu An sat down and said, "I won't be the sect leader, I won't write books, and I won't accept any further disturbances from the Holy Sons and Daughters."

After hearing this, Lv Baitian burst into an irritated laugh.

"In your eyes, is that the kind of person I am?"

"I just don't want to invite trouble. If I've wronged you, then I apologize," Gu An spoke earnestly. Lv Baitian's face stiffened, and with a forced cough, he said, "Of course you've wronged . I ca to find you for other matters."

"What matters?"

"You must have heard of the Nine Nether Road. The dynasties have joined forces to seal off the Nine Nether Road, and every sect has dispatched cultivators to guard it. Even the main lineage of the Ephera Sect would have a hard ti causing a stir. Now, each dynasty is leading disciples into the Nine Nether Road for training.

The place is rampant with demons and monsters where one can hunt for treasures, and the spiritual energy is very rich, suitable for cultivation," Lv Baitian slowly explained, which took Gu An by surprise.

He hadn't expected the Nine Nether Road to beco a place like a secret training realm.

"Isn't the Nine Nether Road supposed to be very dangerous?" Gu An asked.

"Indeed, it's dangerous. That's why Great Cultivators lead disciples into training. I intended to give you a spot. Once inside, you'll be protected, able to cultivate, slay demons, and seek treasures. Whatever you do, there will be others to cover for you. Isn't that a grand opportunity?

Later on, the Supre Sect is planning to establish a city within the Nine Nether Road for disciples to rest and cultivate..." Lv Baitian continued enthusiastically.

He believed that developing the Nine Nether Road would lead to the rise of the Supre Sect, perhaps ushering in the most prosperous era in its history, raising his own status within the sect's annals.

Gu An listened attentively, thinking it was indeed feasible.

Lv Baitian seed intent on reversing a trend: historically, cultivators who reached the Unification Realm would leave the lands of the dynasties in search of opportunities. Lv Baitian wanted to enhance the foundation of the Supre Sect, make it stronger, and eliminate the need for future disciples to venture out in search of their fortunes.

The Nine Nether Road was his first step!

He also planned to open up a sea route, led by the recently returned Elder Xuan Quan.

As he spoke more and more excitedly, he was almost ready to declare dominance over the entire continent.

Gu An, however, found it fascinating and appreciated Lv Baitian's ideals.

The stronger the Supre Sect, the better shade he could enjoy.

After a long while, Lv Baitian, seemingly never running out of things to say, looked at Gu An and asked, "What do you think? Will you go or not?"

Gu An shook his head and replied, "I won't go. I need to stay and look after dicine Valley."

"Soone else can look after it just as well."

"No, I can't be at ease. Fine, to be honest, I'm afraid. I always feel that the Nine Nether Road is very dangerous, and my combat capabilities are weak, so I won't go. How about this: can I give my spot to soone else?"

"You won't go and still want to share the spot?"

"At the very least, I have contributed to the Supre Sect. I haven't taken any bribes with such a large dicine Valley in my charge. Shouldn't you reward ?"

Watching Gu An's earnestness, Lv Baitian shook his head in amusent.

He thought about it and agreed to Gu An's request.

Giving the spot to soone close to Gu An worked just as well, as it could foster a greater sense of identification with the Supre Sect in Gu An.

Lv Baitian didn't believe that the position of sect leader could not be relinquished; he was determined to bestow it upon Gu An.

Sooner or later, a day would co when Gu An would accept!

With that thought, a smile appeared on Lv Baitian's face, full of expectation.

"How do you think the Supre Sect can beco the number one sect of the dynasties?" Lv Baitian suddenly asked. He wanted to test Gu An's perception and guide him into thinking from the perspective of a sect leader.

Gu An answered directly, "Ruling with an iron fist won't work; it tends to accrue hatred. Instead, cultural infiltration could be the way, much like the previous Outer City gathering. The Supre Sect could host various conventions in the future, such as Formation, Alchemy, Sword Competitions, Talisman-making, etc.

We should aim for the 'Supre Sect to host a major event every few years that captivates the attention of the dynasties. The initial investnt might be substantial, but once people grow accustod, they will gradually see the 'Supre Sect as the righteous pinnacle of the world."

"Just imagine, when you've just stepped onto the path of a sword cultivator, and you hear that the Supre Sect's Sword Competition is an event that every sword cultivator must attend and an opportunity to gain fa, you would subconsciously acknowledge the Supre Sect's high standing in the Sword Dao."

"When the Supre Sect becos the most frequently ntioned sect in the world, or rather, when they beco the most talked-about sect among all people, the 'Supre Sect isn't far from being the number one great sect in the world."

"Of course, the sect's own strength is most important."

Gu An elaborated confidently, inspired by Lv Baitian's enthusiasm. He even began to discuss the details.

The events shouldn't be solely about strength; there should also be competitions in other crafts and skills, held in different cities of the Outer and Inner Sects, to boost the economy of each city.

He even suggested creating various societies among the disciples, such as the Elixir Society and the Swordsman Society, to facilitate exchanges among them and allow those with leadership potential to hone their skills.

Lv Baitian was astounded.

It was no fluke that this young man could write 'Investiture of the Gods'; he truly had great talent!

After Gu An finished, Lv Baitian picked up a bowl of tea, drained it in one gulp, and felt a profound satisfaction.

Lv Baitian looked at him with shining eyes and said, "And you say you're not fit to be a sect leader!"

Gu An waved his hand, "I lack the qualifications to be a sect leader. I have no illustrious background, no courage, and no daring to implent such grand developnt strategies. At most, I can only provide suggestions."

Execution is the hardest part.

Gu An will never beco the sect leader!

Lv Baitian smiled and then began to question Gu An about the strategies he had just outlined, to which Gu An patiently replied.

```

An hour had passed before the two finally exited the attic.

Following behind Gu An, Lv Baitian was still pondering Gu An's ideas.

As soon as they descended the stairs, he took his leave, claiming to have lost the mood for celebration.

Gu An didn't try to keep him. Without Lv Baitian, the festive atmosphere of the Third dicine Valley beca even more relaxed.

After the New Year, the opportunity to train on the Nine Nether Road spread quickly within the Supre Sect.

Treasures, precious materials, demon cores, and spiritual energy, among other benefits of the Nine Nether Road, began to circulate wildly. Clearly, Lv Baitian took Gu An's advice to heart, emphasizing the specific advantages of the opportunity to motivate the disciples and strengthen their sense of belonging to the Sect.

Inside the Law Enforcent Hall.

Ye Lan was summoned to et with the Elder of the Law Enforcent Hall.

The Elder of the Law Enforcent Hall said cheerfully, "Ye Lan, you've been specially designated a spot for the Nine Nether Road journey by the higher-ups. You're really sothing. Don't worry, the Law Enforcent Hall won't mistreat you and will help you enter the Nine Nether Road more smoothly."

Ye Lan was stunned.

The Nine Nether Road?

Her first thought was of Gu An.

Despite her many years entrenched in the Law Enforcent Hall, how could an opportunity like the Nine Nether Road fall to her?

She had heard that the first batch of spots for the Nine Nether Road was limited to two hundred people, with virtually no chance for those from the Outer Sect.

Ye Lan's lips curled into a smile. She felt absolutely no burden about being looked after by Gu An, only surprise and sweetness.

Oh Elder Brother, it seems you do care about after all, you're just too stubborn to admit it!

Ye Lan could understand Gu An's reasoning; affairs of the heart could indeed delay one's cultivation.

And that's exactly why she intended to seize every opportunity to grow stronger and prove her resolve to her Elder Brother.

...

As winter passed and spring arrived, all things were reawakened.

The ti had co to the beginning of March.

Inside the Third dicine Valley, Gu An squatted next to the Heavenly Spirit Pond ford by the Heavenly Spirit Water. He had just released a group of carp into it and was watching them swim freely in the pond, observing if they could absorb the spiritual energy within.

Lu Lingjun stood by his side and said, "With this thod of raising them, perhaps they could develop spiritual intelligence."

"Will the Heavenly Spirit Water continue to expand?" Gu An asked curiously.

Lu Lingjun replied, "Given the volu of water I have provided you with, it should reach a diater of about thirty feet."

Gu An felt this was rather small.

He was about to say sothing when suddenly, a surge of sword intent ca from afar, stirring the heavens.

Lu Lingjun's expression shifted slightly as she turned her head to look, her delicate eyebrows knitting together.

Gu An looked up to see clouds of thunder churning in the sky, moving at high speed towards the direction of the Inner Sect.

The Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword!

Gu An could sense An Hao's presence.

The talented youth, already mastering the Sword Intent of the Taicang Divine-Shocking Sword!

Gu An felt both proud and a bit astonished in his heart.

An Hao's talent was truly astounding.

Lu Lingjun expressed her surprise, "This sword intent is similar to the one left by Sword Venerable Fudao at the Heavenly Repair Platform, but it's far less vast. Could it be that one of Sword Venerable Fudao's disciples has made initial progress in the Sword Dao?"

Gu An asked curiously, "A disciple? How can you determine that so clearly? Even I can't sense it."

Lu Lingjun remained unflustered and calmly said, "Perhaps it's because I've witnessed soone else achieve sword intent."

Having served as a Servant Disciple for so long, she had co to understand the Supre Sect and was ready to aim higher.

If she wanted to climb the ranks, her cultivation level was naturally the most crucial elent!

She did not plan on starting as an Outer Disciple; instead, she hoped Gu An would recomnd her.

Elsewhere.

Surrounded by clouds and mist, a mountain peak erged from the sea of clouds, resembling an Immortal Realm. Atop the mountain, soone was ditating—An Hao.

An Hao's white clothing flapped violently, and a sword shadow condensed in front of him, exuding a vast aura.

Several figures appeared out of thin air around him, with Lv Baitian and Xuan Quan among them arriving.

Gu Zong looked at An Hao, astonished, "This Sword Intent is..."

Another Elder spoke solemnly, "The Sword Intent of Sword Venerable Fudao. Has he comprehended it from the Heavenly Repair Platform?"

"Not right, relying on the Heavenly Repair Platform alone wouldn't suffice. He must have obtained the legacy of Sword Venerable Fudao!" a female Elder said with gravity.

"He's a disciple of Sword Venerable Fudao? No wonder such a genius willingly joined the Supre Sect without any known background. It turns out Sword Venerable Fudao was grooming him for us," Gu Zong remarked with emotion.

Lv Baitian watched An Hao closely, his eyes flickering.

Xuan Quan stroked his beard and said, "Such a domineering Sword Intent could be considered the foremost in the Taicang Dynasty."

His assessnt made the other Elders even more excited as they began to discuss An Hao's origins and talents.

Xuan Quan then waved his sleeve, and several large banners flew out, surrounding An Hao. The flapping banners began to gather nature's spiritual energy, channeling it into An Hao's body.