When I Achieved Sainthood, the Immortal Official Actually Called Me to Raise Horses!

Gu An rolled his eyes. "Could you at least wait until I’m done explaining before making decisions? You’re giving me hope only to crush it yourself."

Shen Zhen shook her head. "The problem isn’t the Sword Sect—it’s the Dao Tian Sect. The Hatred Heaven Divine Sword isn’t just a forbidden technique of the Sword Sect; it’s a taboo throughout the entire Da Yu Dynasty. Whenever it reappears, it brings bloodshed and chaos. A century ago, someone mastered the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword, killed tens of thousands, and was eventually gravely injured by an elder of my sect before escaping the Da Yu Dynasty."

"The Hatred Heaven Divine Sword is a technique that defies destiny itself. The stronger the hatred in one’s heart, the stronger the sword\'s intent. Even someone with mediocre talent can surpass their spiritual root limitations as long as their hatred is deep enough. But the higher their cultivation, the deeper their hatred, and they’re likely to lose their sanity and become a mindless killer. That’s why the Sword Sect forbids anyone from practicing it."

Hearing this, Gu An couldn’t help but ask, "If that’s the case, why did the Sword Sect create such a technique?"

"It was created by a Sword Sect genius. Since he was from the Sword Sect, they’re responsible for dealing with the aftermath. They’ve destroyed all the manuals for the technique, but the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword still resurfaces. Perhaps the creator scattered copies of the manual across the cultivation world before his death," Shen Zhen explained.

Gu An frowned.

Lose their sanity after mastering the technique?

If that were true, Gu An couldn’t condone Su Han continuing down this path. He couldn’t risk unleashing such calamity on the cultivation world just to protect his disciple.

Shen Zhen spoke earnestly, "All the major sects of the Da Yu Dynasty are opposed to the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword. If you insist on protecting him, it’ll only bring endless trouble. There is one solution: have him abandon the technique in front of the Sword Sect. But it’s not as simple as forgetting it; he’d have to destroy his meridians and spiritual roots, rendering him a mortal."

Gu An nodded. "I understand."

Without further discussion, he bowed to Shen Zhen and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Shen Zhen shook her head slightly but refrained from saying more. She trusted that she had made her point clear.

The next day at noon, Gu An arrived at the outer sect city. The night before, he had invested a hundred years of his lifespan into cultivation while ten thousand miles away, resulting in significant progress.

The trouble Su Han had caused prompted him to intensify his daily lifespan investment, aiming to reach the ninth level of the Integration Stage as soon as possible.

On his way to Ye Lan’s residence, Gu An mulled over Su Han’s situation.

Su Han was his disciple, and he was obligated to help, but not irrationally. From Shen Zhen’s explanation, practicing the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword wasn’t beneficial for Su Han either. The technique would eventually drive him mad—a painful and destructive path.

After much consideration, Gu An decided to let Su Han make his own choice. At most, he would help him once.

At the same time, another thought crossed his mind:

Could a significant investment of lifespan into the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword lead to a modification that eliminates its insanity-inducing flaws?

That, however, was a matter for the future. Even if he managed to perfect it, the Sword Sect wouldn’t believe him. Demonstrating it himself wasn’t an option either—he wouldn’t expose himself entirely for Su Han’s sake. ℝ

Though they shared a master-disciple bond, Gu An owed Su Han nothing.

Half an hour later, Gu An and Ye Lan exited the Law Hall gates.

"Since he’s made up his mind, senior brother, let him be. No one should be responsible for another person’s life entirely. I’ll arrange for him to leave the Taixuan Sect quietly," Ye Lan said.

Gu An nodded. He had spent a long time reasoning with Su Han, but Su Han adamantly refused to give up the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword. Even when Gu An assured him he wouldn’t force him to cripple his cultivation, Su Han still refused.

Su Han had explained that the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword was a legacy from his father—their only connection. He wanted to use the sword technique to avenge his father.

With such a determined statement, Gu An had no choice but to relent.

"Thank you," Gu An said to Ye Lan.

After a brief exchange, Gu An departed.

Walking along the bustling streets, watching the crowds, Gu An couldn’t help but reflect.

Lu Jiu Jia had strayed from his path and ended up crippled, now confined to Xuan Valley, practicing the Dao Yan Technique with Wu Xin in hopes of a resurgence.

Su Han was ready to defy the entire cultivation world for revenge, unwavering in his resolve.

Gu An was powerful, but he couldn’t determine the paths of everyone around him, nor could he change their minds.

The mortal world teemed with emotions and desires, all driven by love, hatred, and vengeance.

Lost in thought, Gu An felt a profound clarity within himself, slipping into a strange state.

Unknowingly, he found himself walking toward the Heavenly Mending Platform.

His trance was broken when he accidentally bumped into someone.

"Apologies," Gu An quickly said, startled.

This was his first time entering such an engrossed state. He’d never encountered something like this even when inheriting techniques or spells. Reflecting on the experience, he couldn’t articulate it clearly but felt a subtle change within himself.

"Were you just comprehending the Dao?" the man Gu An had bumped into asked abruptly.

Gu An looked up. The speaker was a man in green robes, weathered in appearance, carrying a sword case from which three sword hilts protruded.

Out of habit, Gu An used his lifespan probe.

【Han Ming (Void Transformation Stage, Level 5): 587/1902/2780】

This man was also skilled in aura suppression! The cultivation world really was full of sneaky geniuses.

Gu An asked curiously, "What is \'comprehending the Dao\'? I was just lost in thought."

Internally, he resolved never to let his mind wander while walking again—it was too risky.

Han Ming fixed his gaze on him. "Comprehending the Dao often starts with pondering something, leading to resonance with nature and the world. This puts one into a profound state. You needn’t apologize—I intentionally intercepted you. If you kept walking, you’d have collided with those great cultivators."

"Is comprehending the Dao that impressive? I didn’t feel any change in my cultivation," Gu An replied, feigning ignorance. He truly didn’t understand what comprehending the Dao entailed.

Han Ming turned to gaze at the distant characters for "Righteous Path" and said, "Comprehending the Dao is rare. It can’t be taught or anticipated; it relies solely on one’s insight and fortune. Some use it to break through realms, others to create peerless techniques. I once comprehended the Dao and developed my own swordsmanship. While I don’t know what you comprehended, its benefits will reveal themselves in time."

"Thank you for your guidance, senior. May I ask your name?" Gu An asked, bowing slightly.

"Han Ming, a swordsman from the Da Yu Dynasty. I’ve come to challenge the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path," he replied.

Gu An raised a brow. "How do you plan to issue your challenge?"

Han Ming gathered his energy and shouted, "I am Han Ming, a swordsman of the Da Yu Dynasty! I challenge the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path to a duel outside the city in one month! If the Sword Sovereign wins, I will carve my swordsmanship onto the city walls for the disciples of the Taixuan Sect to study. But if the Sword Sovereign loses or dares not come, I will add two more characters beside \'Righteous Path\'!"

His voice rang out like a thunderclap, shaking the city and echoing into the distance, even reaching the Third Medicine Valley, where disciples raised their heads in surprise.

Countless eyes turned toward Han Ming on the Heavenly Mending Platform.

Gu An instinctively stepped back, not wanting anyone to associate him with Han Ming.

But Han Ming turned and walked toward him.

Don’t come this way! Gu An sighed inwardly.

"Young friend, may I visit your residence? Let us discuss comprehending the Dao and exchange insights. To be frank, I wish to experience it again. Whether successful or not, I’ll teach you my swordsmanship," Han Ming said with a kind smile.

In the distance, Zuo Lin, meditating beside Zuo Yijian, noticed Gu An and his eyes lit up.

With his cultivation, he naturally overheard Han Ming’s words.

I knew it! This kid isn’t simple. My instincts were spot on!

Zuo Lin moved to rise but was held back by Zuo Yijian.

"Don’t get involved. Han Ming isn’t ordinary. He once slew a Transformation Stage Grandmaster with only a Nascent Soul cultivation. He’s renowned as the Sword Maniac," Zuo Yijian said gravely, his sharp gaze fixed on Han Ming.

Zuo Lin froze, shocked by the revelation.

Under the scrutinizing gazes of many, Gu An felt immense pressure. He had no choice but to nod and quickly walk away, with Han Ming following closely behind.

The cultivators on the Heavenly Mending Platform began discussing Han Ming’s name. Many had heard of him, and tales of his exploits spread rapidly.

The Void Transformation Stage elders sitting on the platform merely glanced at Han Ming and made no move to intervene.

Gu An deliberated briefly and decided to lead Han Ming to the Third Medicine Valley. He was curious about what might happen if Han Ming met Elder Tian.

The journey was silent, Han Ming trailing behind Gu An, lost in thought.

When they arrived at the Third Medicine Valley, Han Ming asked, "This entire hundred-mile area is yours?"

"Yes. Why?" Gu An responded.

After a moment of silence, Han Ming sighed. "I was considering taking you as my disciple. But seeing such a vast medicine garden under your care shows how highly the Taixuan Sect regards you. I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed."

You just challenged me and now want me as your disciple?

Gu An thought to himself, exasperated. Outwardly, he smiled and said, "Thank you for the honor, senior, but I’m not interested in fighting or cultivation. I’ll decline your offer."

As they landed, their arrival drew the attention of many disciples.

Under a tree in the distance, Elder Tian, who had been napping, opened his eyes. Upon seeing Han Ming, his expression shifted subtly—it was clear he recognized him.

Han Ming, however, didn’t seem to recognize Elder Tian.

The two went upstairs and took their seats. Han Ming began recounting his experience of comprehending the Dao, and Gu An listened intently.

Han Ming described how, at the age of two hundred, he reached an impasse in his cultivation and could not break through to the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment Stage. Feeling hopeless, he sat beneath a waterfall, despondent, for seven days and nights. Finally, he entered a state of Dao comprehension. Overnight, he attained enlightenment, transforming his sword intent and achieving a breakthrough.

As Gu An listened, he couldn’t help but think about maximum lifespan.

He wondered if comprehending the Dao could affect one’s maximum lifespan.

So far, Gu An had never seen anyone surpass their maximum lifespan, though current lifespan seemed more malleable.

For cultivators at different stages, current lifespan increased with higher cultivation, but each major stage had no fixed lifespan limit. Lifespan depended on a multitude of factors: physical condition, cultivation techniques, natural treasures, and so on.

Take Li Xuandao, for example—though he was at the Transformation Stage, his lifespan was comparable to some Nascent Soul cultivators.

On the other hand, Ji Xiaoyu had an exceptional lifespan of over 800 years even at the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment Stage, rivaling Li Xuandao at the eighth level of the Transformation Stage.

Severe injuries also impacted lifespan. Elder Tian and Lu Jiu Jia were prime examples.

After all, humans weren’t mere data points with immutable values. Observing more cases would be necessary to draw conclusions.

Once Han Ming finished his story, he asked Gu An to share his own experience of Dao comprehension. This time, Gu An didn’t hold back, candidly explaining his worries, though he omitted any mention of the Hatred Heaven Divine Sword.

When he was done, Han Ming pondered for a moment before saying, "Worrying about your disciple’s safety and realizing you can’t control the fate of others—comprehending the Dao from such thoughts... Perhaps you’re a genius."

"One month from now, I will duel the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path. I may die in the attempt. How about I pass on my swordsmanship to you in this month? What do you say?"