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

"Isn't the Crown Prince very virtuous? Senior Brother Li speaks highly of him, which suggests their relationship must be quite good," Gu An asked telepathically, his tone puzzled.

Yang Ni scoffed. "That's only because Li Ya is naive. Over the years, the Crown Prince has sent many assassins to kill him, and I've intercepted them before."

"Then why don't you tell Senior Brother Li to be more cautious?"

"Isn't it his father's idea? His father fears that by acting, they might provoke the Crown Prince, and if faces were torn, the Crown Prince would surely force a palace upheaval. His father's cultivation level is mediocre, no match for the Crown Prince. Once the Crown Prince succeeds him, it will only be more dangerous for Li Ya."

Yang Ni's reply made Gu An want to laugh.

Li Xuandao was nearly at the Void Crossing Realm, yet not the Crown Prince's match?

Thinking this way, Li Xuandao actually seemed a kindred spirit to Gu An.

To this date, Li Xuandao had not exposed his true cultivation level. The only reason Gu An knew it was because he had activated the 'Golden Finger.'

"I understand. I'll be careful around the Crown Prince," Gu An replied using the Sound Transmission Skill.

Yang Ni nodded and stopped hindering him.

Watching Gu An's departing silhouette, Yang Ni shook her head slightly.

"Why have I genuinely started to care about this boy's safety?"

Ever since she learned that Gu An was linked to Medicine Valley in the Inner Sect, Yang Ni sensed his identity was not simple. At least within the Supreme Sect, he was sure to be well-protected and unlikely to encounter trouble.

Soon, Yang Ni dismissed the thought; the Dusk Flowers she had planted were about to bloom, and she eagerly anticipated the sight.

Elsewhere.

Gu An arrived at the Third Medicine Valley, walking up to the Mystic Pure Tree.

The Mystic Pure Tree had grown large, its leaves lush. The White Spirit Rat was dozing beneath it; ever since the tree provided shade, it rarely roamed around, mostly just sleeping under the tree.

Gu An did not mind this, he was actually looking forward to it.

Lv Baitian had said that the Mystic Pure Tree not only enhanced the Spiritual Energy of an area but also, meditating under it could enhance one's aptitude.

As the White Spirit Rat spent all day sleeping under the Mystic Pure Tree, could it be receiving enlightenment in its dreams?

Time for an experiment!

If it worked, he would also nap under the tree.

Gu An took out an Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insect from his insect bag at his waist and let it fly up to the tree. He then met Xiaochuan and instructed him to place a hundred pounds of iron ore under the tree every month to sustain the Ancient Gold-Swallowing Insect.

The best thing about Xiaochuan was that he didn't ask questions; he simply agreed to it.

After checking the Mystic Pure Tree, Gu An visited the Human-Faced Tree and Purple Mist Bamboo, ensuring these treasures were growing well before he began inspecting the Third Medicine Valley.

The Third Medicine Valley now grew many High-Rank Medical Herbs. Last year, when Lv Baitian came to visit, Gu An specifically requested to increase the number of servant disciples, and Lv Baitian immediately agreed, raising the number to three hundred.

Even with three hundred people, Gu An felt it still wasn't enough, but to increase further, he needed to show sufficient results to prove his point.

It wasn't until the evening that Gu An finally returned to his loft.

He had harvested another batch of medicinal herbs today, adding thousands of years to his life span, moving ever closer to the million-year milestone.

...

A month later in the early morning, after leading the Mystic Valley disciples in drills, Gu An returned to the loft and spread a map on the table.

This was personally drawn by a Great Cultivator of the Supreme Sect and had restrictions; when Divine Sense probed into it, one could even see detailed terrains, giving him the sensation of using a VR topographical map from his previous life.

No wonder the map cost five Top-Grade Spirit Stones; it was truly worth more than its value.

Gu An immersed himself in it, looking for a suitable breakthrough location.

Just around noon, someone from the Mystic Valley came to visit. Yang Ni transmitted to Gu An, "The Crown Prince is here. Be careful on your own; I can't show myself."

Upon hearing this, Gu An slowly put away the map and then stood up to leave the loft.

When he stepped outside, he saw a man in white holding a folding fan approaching, graceful and smiling, appearing much like a delicate scholar.

Gu An conducted a Life Span Detection.

[Li Dai (Nascent Soul Realm Level 1): 189/960/1250]

He had not cultivated any special techniques, and his cultivation level was as it appeared.

A Nascent Soul less than two hundred years old was indeed a genius.

Li Dai did not walk toward Gu An; instead, he approached Chu Jingfeng, who was inspecting the grounds by a wooden railing.

"Chu Jingfeng, long time no see," Li Dai greeted from a distance.

Chu Jingfeng turned around, his brow furrowed.

The two met and exchanged pleasantries, with Li Dai's laughter being quite hearty, attracting the attention of other disciples in the valley.

In the face of Li Dai, Chu Jingfeng appeared very tense, mostly just responding to Li Dai as he reminisced about old times.

After chatting for a good while, Li Dai finally walked over to Gu An.

He came in front of the loft and cupped his fists in salute. "I am Li Dai from Cangzhou. May I ask if you are Valley Master Gu An?"

Gu An raised his hand in salute, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I am Gu An. Would you like to come up and talk?"

Li Dai smiled and nodded, then ascended the stairs.

The servant disciples became excited, not expecting this visitor to be the current Crown Prince. еոј@оу--*а†$-+

Although they had joined an Immortal Cultivation Sect, they were still curious about the Crown Prince and wondered why he was looking for the Valley Master?

Several people surrounded Chu Jingfeng, asking how the two had known each other before.

Gu An and Li Dai chatted inside the room for a full ancient hour, and when Gu An saw him downstairs, his face was filled with smiles, and he even held Gu An's hand before parting, making Gu An feel awkward.

"Junior Brother Gu, you and I really hit it off. Next time I return to the Supreme Sect, I must find you for another chat," Li Dai said enthusiastically, appearing utterly guileless.

Gu An agreed, then watched him fly out of Mystic Valley.

The duo hadn't talked about much before; it seemed as though Li Dai was truly there to make friends. They even talked about Li Ya, and Li Dai's words were full of concern. Had it not been for Yang Ni's prior warning, Gu An would have believed they were good brothers.

Until his departure, Li Dai didn't make any requests or try to recruit Gu An.

Gu An could feel a Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivator hiding in the nearby mountains, likely someone protecting Li Dai.

About ten miles away from Mystic Valley, the smile vanished from Li Dai's face, and his expression darkened.

An elderly man in a green robe flew to his side and whispered, "Your Highness, there is a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator in the valley."

"Hmm, I've sensed it too; it's Yang Ni. The Emperor actually sent Yang Ni to guard him. This man's connections must be significant. We should investigate his background and his role within the Supreme Sect," Li Dai said coldly, his eyes filled with murderous intent when he mentioned Yang Ni.

The green-robed elder asked, "If he has no backing, should we capture him?"

"Let me meet with the Sect Leader first; his attitude is crucial. If the Sect Leader supports me, then we shall directly kill Li Ya and Gu An, cutting off the Emperor's spies and pawns," Li Dai replied.

The two were unaware that Gu An had heard their conversation.

To Gu An, a Divinity Transformation Realm in front of him was no different from an ant beside the road.

"Want to kill me? That's interesting."

Gu An smiled; he wasn't concerned at all.

Even if he stood still and didn't fight back, neither Li Dai nor the green-robed elder would have a hope of killing him.

Gu An turned and went upstairs. It wasn't long before Yang Ni jumped in through the window.

Yang Ni's face was grave as he said, "He must have sensed my presence. This young man's cultivation seems to have reached the Transformation Realm."

Gu An asked in confusion, "Do you have a grudge against him?"

"Nonsense, his mother was involved in my sister's death. How could there be no grudge?"

"Does Senior Brother Li know about this?"

"He doesn't, as I have only suspicions without evidence. This guy came to the Supreme Sect, mostly seeking to establish ties with the Venerable Pavilion or the Sect Leader. Previously, his supporter Chu Tianqi has already fled, so he must seek new protection."

"Let him be."

Gu An took out a book and began to read.

Yang Ni stood by his side, asking in surprise, "Aren't you afraid he'll abduct you to plot against Li Ya?"

"What can I do? I'm no match for him, the Emperor asked you to look after me, and I can't refuse. If he wants to kill me, I can't stop him either. Might as well pretend nothing is happening and peacefully enjoy my days."

Gu An casually replied, his carefree attitude impressing Yang Ni.

Yang Ni reassured him, "Don't worry, if he truly intends to harm you, I will definitely protect you, just don't wander off."

Gu An was too restless, sometimes going to the Outer City, sometimes to his Inner Sect Medicine Valley—places she dared not trespass.

"Thanks for the protection, Senior. Rest assured, under the watch of the Supreme Sect, he shouldn't dare to act rashly," Gu An said, smiling at Yang Ni.

Yang Ni nodded and left without another word.

Gu An sensed her retreat to the woods for training; it seemed she was under great pressure. In the years she'd been in Mystic Valley, she only quietly practiced at night.

Gu An also wanted to grow stronger. He accessed his Attribute Panel and, seeing his Life Span, his lips curled upwards.

Soon!

...

In a residence surrounded by birdsong and the scent of flowers, with trees adorned with bright blossoms and a stream encircling a pavilion,

Lu Baitian and Li Dai sat opposite each other in the pavilion, Li Dai picking up a wine pot to pour for Lu Baitian.

"Being the Crown Prince for a century has indeed been tough on you. I've heard some of the civilian voices over the years," Lu Baitian said nonchalantly as he accepted the wine cup.

Upon hearing this, Li Dai sighed and replied, "The Emperor has actually done quite well; it's just unfortunate that his Cultivation Level is too low to suppress the Prefects and noble families across the lands. Beneath the vibrant veneer of the Taicang Dynasty lies suffering and darkness. I want to improve the lives of the common people, and my mother's family has agreed to support me fully."

Lu Baitian gazed at the nearby stream, not staring directly at Li Dai, and said indifferently, "Who becomes Emperor doesn't matter to the Supreme Sect. What is important is being worthy of the trust of the Supreme Sect."

Li Dai hurriedly assured him, "The Supreme Sect is the most revered in the world. If I become Emperor, the Supreme Sect can oversee my actions!"

"Stop investigating Gu An. No matter how your Imperial Family fights among yourselves, you must not involve him."

Lu Baitian said this nonchalantly, causing Li Dai's face to drastically change.

In that moment, Li Dai thought of many possibilities.

He cautiously asked, "What noble family is Gu An from?"

Assuming Gu An came from some family because of his low Cultivation Level, as maybe someone mediocre from a noble house sent to live out his life at the Supreme Sect.

"He doesn't come from any noble family; the only backing he has is me. Is that enough?"

Lu Baitian said this, looking towards Li Dai, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.