Take Me as Your Master

Gu An turned around and saw Li Ya's childhood friend, Zuo Lin, walking toward him.

After many years apart, Zuo Lin had only reached the Third-layer Foundation Establishment Realm. He was probably still obsessed with practicing the sword.

Gu An turned and cupped his fists in salute. "My Lineage summoned me here to handle some matters, so I came."

"You have a Lineage? Weren't you born a house servant?" Zuo Lin asked curiously.

Gu An answered, "I am indeed a house servant—a servant of the Ji Family. Our Third Young Miss is about to host a banquet, so I came with the other servants to help out."

"What? You're from the Ji Family?" Zuo Lin's eyes widened.

Gu An asked back, "Didn't Senior Brother Li tell you?"

Zuo Lin shook his head. "He didn't. What a coincidence—my father was invited by the Ji Family too. I came along to join the fun. Isn't Ji Mansion behind us? Where are you headed?"

He had always been interested in Gu An, feeling that Gu An was anything but simple. Now that he had finally run into him, he did not want to miss the chance.

"I'm planning to stroll around Inner Sect City."

"Then I'll accompany you. I may not be an Inner Sect disciple, but thanks to my father, I've come here plenty of times." Zuo Lin spoke warmly, and Gu An did not refuse.

The two chatted as they walked onward.

Zuo Lin spoke of his father, and through his words, Gu An gained a deeper understanding of the Taixuan Sect's hierarchy.

Normally, once disciples reached a certain realm, they would climb higher. But some chose the road of power instead. Zuo Yijian was one such person; he had entered the Elder Hall.

Unlike the other halls, the Elder Hall was the center of power in a city. The threshold for the Outer Sect Elder Hall was the Golden Core Realm, while the Inner Sect Elder Hall required the Spirit Transformation Realm.

The Elder Hall held absolute authority in every city. It was said that in the Main Sect City, the Elder Hall's power was even greater and could even determine the sect master's position. Thus, some Nascent Soul Realm cultivators chose to remain in the Outer Sect as elders, continuing to seek benefits for themselves.

Zuo Yijian had come to the Inner Sect and could not yet join the Elder Hall, but he had become the hall master of the Inner Sect Library Hall, with considerable treatment.

"It's all that Flying Leaf Sword Immortal's fault. He's made my father completely possessed. Now he spends all day clutching Investiture of the Gods and reading it, without practicing his sword at all," Zuo Lin said indignantly.

Gu An asked, "Do you think Investiture of the Gods isn't good?"

"It really is good. Let me tell you, Yang Jian is my favorite. Why isn't he a sword cultivator..." Once Zuo Lin began talking about Investiture of the Gods, his words became far more plentiful.

Gu An sighed inwardly. It seemed he had still underestimated just how great an impact Investiture of the Gods had made on the cultivation world.

As he listened to Zuo Lin heap praise upon Pan An, Gu An initially felt secretly pleased. But after hearing it for too long, it became dull. After all, he was not the true author; he wrote primarily to earn Spirit Stones.

Afterward, Gu An asked Zuo Lin to take him to the Scripture Pavilion.

The greatest difference between the Scripture Pavilion and the Library Pavilion was that the Scripture Pavilion contained nothing but cultivation techniques and spells.

Along the way, Gu An asked whether there was a Five Elements Technique, only to receive a round of contempt from Zuo Lin.

In the cultivation world, cultivation techniques were basically all based on a single attribute. Even those with multiple Spirit Roots cultivated this way, unless they wished to cultivate anew.

When cultivating a technique anew, one retained one's realm, but the process of accumulating spiritual power again was enough to drive the vast majority of cultivators to collapse.

Cultivation was not martial arts. It required the accumulation of years and years. No one wished to retrace the path of decades or centuries, much less those old monsters who had cultivated for a thousand years. They could only grit their teeth and press onward, delving deeply into a single path. It was precisely because of this that the path of cultivation blossomed with a hundred flowers.

Upon reaching the Scripture Pavilion, Gu An indeed failed to find a Five Elements Technique. Still, he purchased basic cultivation techniques for the other four attributes, choosing the cheapest ones. In any case, he could burn lifespan to improve them.

Spirit Stones had to be used primarily to buy seeds!

Zuo Lin was puzzled as to why he was buying techniques of different attributes. Gu An answered that they were for his disciples, causing Zuo Lin to regard him with newfound respect.

Back in Mystic Valley, Zuo Lin had been able to sense Gu An's attitude toward the Handyman Disciples.

Gu An did not merely curry favor with Li Ya, who came from the Imperial Family. He was equally kind to those of lower status. Perhaps Li Ya was right—he truly was a good person.

Zuo Lin looked at Gu An's profile and thought this to himself.

"Brother Zuo, could you take me to see the Formations?" Gu An asked with a smile.

The moment Zuo Lin heard that, he agreed without hesitation.

The result left Gu An somewhat disappointed.

Teleportation Arrays did exist, but every one of them cost an astronomical price. He simply could not afford them!

He could only consider it another day. Though he was a Void Crossing Realm cultivator, it would not do for him to simply seize one by force.

After arriving at the Inner Sect, Gu An felt certain that the Taixuan Sect concealed Void Crossing Realm old monsters. After all, the threshold for Inner Sect elders was the Spirit Transformation Realm, and beyond that lay the Main Sect City.

Thinking about it carefully, the Taixuan Sect truly was powerful. So many Demonic Path cultivators had died in the Outer Sect, yet the Demonic Path did not dare launch an attack against the Taixuan Sect. Even a Golden Core Realm spy like Jiang Qiong only dared operate beyond the Outer Sect.

If the Taixuan Sect was a vast map, Gu An was active only in a tiny corner.

Not until nightfall did Gu An bid Zuo Lin farewell and return to the gates of Ji Mansion. Du Ye was still waiting for him, which moved him somewhat.

"Why did you only come back now? Without me, you wouldn't have gotten in!" Du Ye complained.

Gu An smiled and patted his shoulder. He said nothing more, and the two entered Ji Mansion.

The moment he entered, Gu An sensed many auras. Ji Mansion had isolation restrictions as well, and he even caught an aura from the Spirit Transformation Realm.

Along the way, he cast Lifespan Inspection on everyone he encountered.

There were many people in Ji Mansion, and many of them were geniuses.

Although Ji Xiaoyu had only brought five people into the Taixuan Sect, the Ji Family had more than one branch. Every year, descendants poured into various sects and schools.

After the time it took to burn an incense stick, Du Ye brought Gu An to meet Ji Lin, the genius renowned throughout the Outer Sect.

[Ji Lin (Ninth-layer Foundation Establishment Realm): 36/330/900]

A Ninth-layer Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator at thirty-six was very formidable!

He had probably consumed quite a few pills as well.

Gu An looked at Ji Lin and thought this as he took out the medicinal herbs he had prepared in advance.

Ji Lin was not arrogant. His attitude toward Gu An was fairly good, and he painted a grand vision for Gu An. Gu An put on an excited expression, bringing the meeting to a satisfactory close.

Afterward, Du Ye led Gu An to their residence. The two lived in the same courtyard, though fortunately, each had a room of his own.

The night passed without incident.

At dawn the next morning, just as the sky brightened, Du Ye dragged Gu An out of the courtyard.

The two arrived at the gates to wait. They were not the only ones; more than a dozen cultivators stood guard as well. Under the leader's arrangement, they formed two lines, ready to welcome the distinguished guests of today's banquet.

Half an hour later, guests began to arrive.

The very first was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator!

After the man entered the residence, Gu An heard the other servants discussing how he was from the Inner Sect Law Enforcement Hall and held considerable power.

As time passed, more and more guests arrived. The leader of every group was at least in the Nascent Soul Realm, and Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators made up no small proportion.

No wonder Li Xuandao had to conceal his cultivation. The eighth layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm was powerful, but it was still far from invincible.

One arrival caused Gu An to look twice. This person was Fu Xiong's master, Luo Xunye. When Gu An had searched Fu Xiong's soul, he had memorized the man's appearance.

[Luo Xunye (Ninth-layer Nascent Soul Realm): 254/804/1300]

A Ninth-layer Nascent Soul Realm cultivator at two hundred and fifty years old counted as a genius.

The Ji Family member overseeing the gate clearly had a good relationship with Luo Xunye, and the two exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Who could have imagined that this person was a Demonic Cultivator?

Gu An thought silently. From beginning to end, he did not speak, merely standing there in relative ease.

About another half hour passed before Gu An spotted another Thousand Autumn Pavilion spy.

Jiang Qiong!

[Jiang Qiong (First-layer Nascent Soul Realm): 192/700/2490]

Seven years apart, and she had actually succeeded in crossing her tribulation so quickly!

Jiang Qiong wore the robes of an Inner Sect disciple. Her expression was cold and detached, without the flirtatiousness she had displayed toward Gu An before. She merely glanced at him. The two did not exchange a single word before she entered Ji Mansion.

Why is she here? She probably hasn't come merely to offer congratulations, has she? Gu An wondered.

Was Jiang Qiong planning to scheme against the Ji Family?

"Pan..."

Suddenly, a cry brimming with delighted surprise drew Gu An's attention. Gu Yu, whom he had met once at the Outer Sect Library Hall, was striding quickly toward him.

Behind Gu Yu stood a richly dressed middle-aged man with an extraordinary bearing. Yet his aura was faint; he had clearly cultivated some sort of aura-concealing technique.

Gu An instinctively cast Lifespan Inspection.

[Gu Zong (Second-layer Void Crossing Realm): 690/1805/2800]

Good heavens!

Void Crossing Realm!

The Taixuan Sect truly did conceal Void Crossing Realm cultivators!

This man was also surnamed Gu and clearly shared a bloodline with Gu Yu. Gu An had already felt that Gu Yu was not simple.

"Gu An, are you a member of the Ji Family?" Gu Yu asked excitedly as he came before Gu An.

Gu An nodded. "I am merely a house servant."

"With your talent, why be a house servant? I'll have my father bring you into the Inner Sect!" Gu Yu declared with soaring boldness, drawing sidelong glances from the surrounding Ji Family members.

Gu Yu turned to Gu Zong. "Father, he's the person I'm always telling you about. Take him as your disciple!"

The cultivators behind Gu Zong were all in the Nascent Soul Realm and Spirit Transformation Realm. Hearing Gu Yu's words, they all looked Gu An over curiously.

This is bad!

How did this brat have to ruin things?

Gu An cursed inwardly.

Gu Zong frowned. "In public, what kind of behavior is this!"

Gu An breathed a sigh of relief. A Great Cultivator was indeed different; he knew not to break the rules in public.

Gu Zong looked at Gu An. The sternness on his face suddenly vanished, replaced by a gentle smile. "Young friend, my name is Gu Zong. Take me as your master."

The moment those words fell, everyone's expressions changed drastically. Du Ye, in particular, stared at Gu An in utter disbelief.

The breath Gu An had just let out caught in his throat again.

"This junior's Spirit Root aptitude is mediocre. I fear I am not suited to become your disciple..." Gu An said helplessly.

Gu Zong smiled. "When I accept disciples, I do not look at aptitude. I only look at fate. What you write is quite good. I like it very much."

With so many eyes on him, how could Gu An agree? Besides, he did not like taking someone of the same realm as his master. Back when he had taken Cheng Xuandan as his master, it had been out of necessity.

"I must discuss this matter with someone first. I hope Senior will forgive me." Gu An drew a deep breath and put on a troubled expression.

Gu Zong burst into laughter upon hearing this. He walked forward, patted Gu An's shoulder, and left behind a single sentence before entering Ji Mansion:

"Once the banquet is over, we will have a proper talk. You need not become my disciple. Help me with one matter instead, and I will fulfill all your requests."

Gu Yu winked at Gu An, then followed in his father's footsteps.

Once this group of guests entered the residence, the surrounding Ji Family members crowded over and asked what Gu An had written to earn such high regard from Gu Zong.

An old cultivator teased, "Don't tell me you wrote Investiture of the Gods?"

Gu An smiled. "I wish I had."

Du Ye snorted. "How could he possibly write Investiture of the Gods? It's probably something related to growing medicinal herbs."

The others joined in the joking. After this twist of events, Gu An's presence had instantly been pulled to its peak.

Just as Gu An wanted to flee, a Ji Family cultivator emerged from the residence and called out, "Who is Gu An? Third Young Miss summons you!"

Thanks to Mu Geqing for the 500 Qidian coin reward, and Little Fish That Cannot Blow Bubbles for the 100 Qidian coin reward~~