If I become a saint, a celestial official will summon me to raise horses.

Chapter 233 The First Prodigy
As the old man raved about the impending catastrophe, the cultivators passing by on the street couldn't help but gossip. Most of them didn't take it seriously, but were just curious about where this old man came from and how he dared to act so presumptuously in the Tai Xuan Sect.

Gu Anze was skeptical.

Will the ocean swallow everything?
He had heard such legends before; there were quite a few like them on the ocean. In addition, a large crack had mysteriously appeared in the ocean in recent years, so he couldn't help but believe it.

"I'm only 127 years old, how come I've suffered so many misfortunes?"

Gu An thought helplessly, but the previous calamity of demons and monsters was not a calamity for the human world. It was just a scheme by the immortal cultivation forces. Such things are definitely not uncommon in this world.

He hoped that this calamity at sea was not aimed at him or the Three Dynasties. If so, he would have to wonder if the Heavenly Dao was plotting against him.

Indeed, one should not be too deeply involved in worldly affairs. His method of becoming stronger without undergoing tribulation may be considered an anomaly in the eyes of the Heavenly Dao.

In order to eliminate the anomalies, but not knowing where they were, they simply launched a cataclysmic disaster.

What is called a calamity is a tribulation for all living beings, but for heaven and earth themselves, it is just a great cleansing.

Gu An's thoughts drifted away, and before long, he saw the old man being arrested by the disciples of the Enforcement Hall, shouting as he was being taken away:

"The ocean will swallow everything..."

This little incident didn't bother many people. Compared to such crazy talk, the disciples were more concerned about the Heavenly Ranking Conference.

The phrase "Number One Under Heaven" has captivated the hearts of countless cultivators.

Gu An wasn't too worried. This old man didn't have an exceptional lifespan or a hidden cultivation level; he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage.

He brought Yang Jian to the medicine hall, telling Yang Jian to watch carefully and listen attentively, so that he could help him in the future.

Yang Jian was both excited and nervous about this; he was nervous because he was afraid of making a mistake and disappointing Gu An.

They didn't return to Medicine Valley until evening.

Spring passed and summer came, and Gu An crossed the threshold of 128 years old.

The Heavenly Ranking Tournament has spread throughout the world, but the exact date of its opening has not yet been determined. Thanks to the efforts of the Tai Xuan Sect, nine out of ten cultivators in the three dynasties have learned of this matter.

Who is the best in the world has become a popular topic of conversation among cultivators in their spare time.

This day.

When Gu An arrived at Seeking Immortals Island, he immediately heard people discussing the ancient ocean tide.

Legend has it that every ten thousand years, the ocean tide rises, submerging continents for hundreds of years before receding. Not every great tide is the same; in severe cases, the great tide can submerge the entire human world, a phenomenon that is rare to see even once every million years.

The cultivators of today cannot calculate how long ago the last cataclysmic tide has passed, but it is precisely because they cannot calculate it that they are terrified.

Everywhere on the ocean, people are proclaiming that an apocalyptic tide is coming. These people come from different sects and are said to have received a divine inspiration, seeing the apocalyptic scene in their dreams during cultivation. Those with weak cultivation may even suffer from qi deviation and go insane.

Some people even drew parallels to the previously observed ocean rift, suggesting it might be a sign of an apocalyptic tidal wave!
When Gu An found Hu Xiaojian, Hu Xiaojian also brought up the matter, looking worried.

"The world is truly in chaos now. First, the Seven Star Spirit Realm and the Star Sea Sect were fighting and killing each other everywhere. Now, the World-Destroying Tide is about to appear. We are truly born in the worst era ever," Hu Xiaojian sighed.

Gu An comforted him, saying, "Nothing is certain yet, so don't worry too much."

The news spread like wildfire, but the sea level did not rise, at least the continent where the three dynasties were located remained unaffected.

According to legend, before the cataclysmic tidal wave erupts, there is a period of hundreds of years of preparation, which can be perceived by all living beings. It is said that during this preparation period, the spiritual energy at the bottom of the sea bursts forth, increasing the concentration of spiritual energy in the entire world. As a result, the cultivation speed of all living beings will also increase, as if it represents a trace of mercy from heaven and earth to all living beings. If one can leave this world during this period, one can escape the calamity.

But that only applies to high-level cultivators. To reach the Heavenly Immortal Realm within a few hundred years, one must at least be at the Wandering Immortal Realm.

Gu An and his companion strolled along the street, chatting as they went.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of them. It was a woman in yellow, with a dignified posture, extraordinary temperament, and excellent appearance. Her cultivation had reached the Profound Heart Realm.

"May I ask if you are Senior Meng Lang? My lord wishes to invite you to be his guest. My lord is the True Man Tang Hai," the woman in yellow said respectfully.

Using a Xuanxin Realm female cultivator as a maid?

What a grand display!
As Gu An was thinking, Hu Xiaojian whispered, "Master Tang Hai is an honorary elder of the Sea Guardian Mansion of Xunxian Island. He is upright and honest and has a good reputation."

The implication is that it is credible.

Gu An glanced at Hu Xiaojian, then looked at the woman in yellow and said, "Lead the way."

He cast a lifespan probe at the woman in yellow. Her lifespan was just over two thousand years, which would make her a celestial princess on the mainland, but on Immortal Seeking Island, she could only be a maid.

The woman in yellow bowed gracefully, then turned and led the way.

Half an incense stick later, they entered a mansion. Hu Xiaojian did not go in, but chose to wait in front of the gate.

Tanghai Prefecture is very large, and there are quite a few servants here, whose cultivation level is at least Nascent Soul Realm.

Led by the woman in yellow, Gu An arrived at a courtyard where he saw a man in blue sitting at a table, sipping tea. He had a refined and scholarly air about him.

[Master Tang Hai (Fifth Level of the Scattered Immortal Realm): 8908/27000/27500]

The woman in yellow stopped, bowed to Master Tanghai, and then left.

Master Tang Hai looked at Gu An, stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Fellow Daoist, I hope you will forgive me for disturbing you by inviting you here today."

Gu An approached the table, raised his hand in return, and said, "It's alright, I'm free."

The two then sat down to talk.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Master Tang Hai said, "Fellow Daoist, the number of rare and precious materials you have purchased over the years is astonishing. Many people are inquiring about you, but don't worry, no one dares to cause trouble on Seeking Immortals Island. I have also helped you fend off some of them."

Gu An didn't understand what he meant, so she could only go along with him and thank him.

The strongest cultivator on Seeking Immortals Island was only at the Wandering Immortal Realm, so Gu An really didn't take the people here seriously. "Recently, news of the World-Destroying Tide has been spreading like wildfire. Whether it's true or not, the world is in turmoil. It would be best if we cultivators could stick together for warmth. Ten years from now, I plan to hold a private auction here, and there will even be Immortal Spirit Trees. If you are interested, you are welcome to participate. The actual transaction price will be 70% of the final price, as a gift from me to you." True Person Tang Hai stroked his beard and smiled, his smile giving people a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

Upon hearing this, Gu An smiled and thanked him again.

Immortal Spirit Tree?

He was indeed very interested!
The highest-grade spirit tree he possessed was only at the ninth level; he wondered what wondrous uses the immortal spirit tree might have.

Seeing that Gu An agreed, Master Tang Hai became even more enthusiastic.

The two chatted for a long time, and Master Tang Hai revealed that he wanted to form a small circle of wandering immortals to explore and venture into the ancient immortal realms together.

A full hour later, Gu An finally left Tang Hai's residence.

Hu Xiaojian followed him, and very sensibly, he didn't ask any questions.

……

The first gentle breeze of autumn blew into the Third Medicinal Valley.

Yang Jian stood in front of the wooden railing, gazing silently at the pavilion where Gu An lived.

He had been a disciple of Gu An for some time, but his life had not changed at all, and Gu An showed no intention of teaching him any skills or spells, which made him feel somewhat tormented.

He was already twenty-one years old, but his cultivation level was still stuck at the third level of Qi Refining, which made him very anxious.

I heard that An Hao, the number one genius of Tai Xuan Sect, has already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm at his age.

Time slipped away as he stared blankly into space.

As dusk fell, Yang Jian washed a batch of fruit, carried it on a large wooden platter, and brought it to the mouth of the Blood Prison Great Sage.

Just as he was about to get up and leave, a voice came from the attic: "Jian'er, wait for me downstairs after dark."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian became excited and quickly bowed towards the pavilion. He didn't shout, as he was afraid of being overheard by the other disciples.

An hour later, Yang Jian, dressed in clean robes, stood in front of the stairs, his eyes occasionally glancing at the windows upstairs.

The Great Sage of Blood Prison found it amusing and would tease him from time to time, making him blush and not know how to defend himself.

The door upstairs suddenly opened, and Yang Jian quickly stood up straight.

Gu An went downstairs and headed towards the teleportation platform. Yang Jian quickly followed, and the Blood Prison Great Sage also went up.

The two people and the ox arrived at Xuan Valley through a teleportation array, and then headed towards the deserted mountain forest.

Looking at Gu An riding on the ox's back, Yang Jian was very nervous. He wanted to ask his master when he would teach him the martial arts, but he was afraid of offending him.

This departure lasted all night.

By the time dawn broke, Yang Jian was in a daze.

Gu An told the Blood Prison Great Sage to stop. Next to them was a large river with clear water; you could even see small fish and crabs.

Looking at the rising sun, Gu An asked, "Jian'er, have you found a superior cultivation technique?"

Yang Jian scratched his head awkwardly and said, "If it were possible, I would naturally want it..."

Gu An was not disgusted by his utilitarianism.

He looked at Yang Jian and asked, "What are you willing to sacrifice for cultivating immortality?"

He planned to cultivate Yang Jian properly, and even raise him by his side, a treatment that An Hao didn't receive.

Yang Jian was stunned for a moment, then said, "I have nothing, but all I want in this life is to cultivate immortality until I die."

Gu An said calmly, "Your constitution is special, making it difficult for you to absorb Qi. You should be able to sense that."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian's face instantly darkened.

His talent was far from mediocre; even within the Third Medicine Valley, he would be considered at the bottom. After many years in the valley, he still hadn't broken through a single minor realm. It was precisely because of this that he yearned for more profound cultivation techniques.

"I can transform you into a genius, but you will have to endure pain that ordinary people cannot bear, pain that can even be described as being shattered to pieces. Do you dare?" Gu An stared at Yang Jian, his tone indifferent.

Facing his gaze, Yang Jian felt inexplicably flustered.

"Master, are you trying to scare your disciple?" Yang Jian asked cautiously.

To be smashed to pieces—that sounds terrifying.

Gu An said, "Defying fate is not so easy. If you are afraid, I will not force you. I will teach you many techniques and spells, but your path will be very slow in the future."

Yang Jian asked, "Master, have any other senior brothers or sisters succeeded?"

Gu An shook his head and said, "I only have two true disciples. I only give pills to the other disciples. Your senior brother is already a world-renowned prodigy."

Famous throughout the world?

Yang Jian opened his mouth, his heart filled with confusion.

Master is only at the Core Formation stage, how come he has such a powerful disciple?

Famous throughout the world?

Is he comparable to An Hao, the legendary number one genius of the Tai Xuan Sect?
(End of this chapter)