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

Chapter 158: Jiang Qiong’s Return and a Hand in the Dark

Ancestor Kusong is dead?

Gu An was momentarily stunned when he heard Gu Zong’s words.

Though he wasn’t particularly close to Ancestor Kusong, they had shared some pleasant conversations whenever he visited the Inner Sect’s Library Hall. Now, hearing of Kusong’s fall, an indescribable feeling welled up inside him.

"Even a Supreme Elder has fallen… I remember Ancestor Kusong was in the Profound Mind Realm, right?" Zhen Qin furrowed her brows.

Back when the Nightshade Sect attacked, Ancestor Kusong had battled Akegan, and his name spread throughout Taixuan Sect. He had become one of the sect’s most revered grandmasters, second only to the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path.

Even Zhen Qin, who had never interacted with him, felt sorrow at his passing.

Gu An looked up at the sky, noticing the heavy clouds rolling in—signs of an impending storm.

The news of Ancestor Kusong’s death sent shockwaves through the entire Taixuan Sect, and word quickly spread across the cultivation world.

Three days later, Gu An arrived at the Inner Sect City to attend the memorial ceremony. Tens of thousands of disciples observed a moment of silence as the sect elders recounted Ancestor Kusong’s life. Even the newest disciples who had just joined Taixuan Sect could feel the weight of grief.

After recounting Kusong’s legacy, Taixuan Sect publicly announced—for the first time in decades—that a Demonic Cataclysm was imminent. The revelation sent ripples of unrest through the cities.

In the following days, various sects across the Taicang Empire also confirmed the news. The fragile peace in the cultivation world was once again shattered, and a looming sense of crisis settled over all cultivators.

A grandmaster of the Profound Mind Realm had already perished—this tribulation was bound to be far more terrifying than the Nightshade Sect’s invasion.

Snow gradually blanketed Xuan Valley.

On this day, Gu An was waiting in his pavilion early in the evening, sensing a familiar presence approaching.

Late at night, a shadow appeared outside his window.

Gu An walked over and opened it, letting the figure inside.

A woman in white robes, wearing a bamboo hat, stepped into the room. After closing the window, she removed her hat and turned to look at Gu An, who was setting up a warding formation. Smiling, she teased, “My dear disciple-grandson, did you miss me?”

After finishing the formation, Gu An turned to face her, curious. “Where have you been all these years? Are you alright?”

He discreetly used his Lifespan Perception on Jiang Qiong.

【Jiang Qiong (Nascent Soul Stage, Sixth Level): 243/700/5490】

Huh?

Five thousand four hundred and ninety years of maximum lifespan!

Gu An distinctly remembered that Jiang Qiong’s lifespan had been just over two thousand four hundred years before.

Looks like she found a massive opportunity inside the Nine Nether Path!

Jiang Qiong chuckled. “I went somewhere mysterious and had quite the adventure. You should know by now, your master’s no ordinary person—I always land on my feet.”

Seeing the genuine concern on Gu An’s face, warmth spread through Jiang Qiong’s heart.

At least, there was still someone in this world who cared for her.

Gu An motioned for her to sit while he prepared tea.

“So, how have you been these years?” Jiang Qiong asked, glancing around the room.

Gu An, facing away from her, responded casually, “Same as always—tending flowers, reading books. Oh, I did make it into the top five hundred in the Golden Ranking Tournament this time, thanks to a magic treasure gifted by a senior in the sect…”

He deliberately boasted, trying to show off to Jiang Qiong.

In the past, she might have been impressed. But after surviving the Nightshade Sect’s invasion and exploring the Nine Nether Path, her perspective had shifted drastically.

Now, hearing Gu An’s proud bragging, she just found it amusing—and comforting.

It was good to see this kid living well.

After finishing his story, Gu An carried the tea tray to the table, pouring a cup for Jiang Qiong as he asked, “And you? Care to share a bit about your adventures?”

Jiang Qiong grinned slyly. “I offended a big shot and needed to lay low in the Eight Views Celestial Realm for a while. Are you sure you want to know?”

Gu An immediately shook his head. “Never mind, then. If you need to hide, just do it—I’d never betray you.”

Years ago, Jiang Qiong had taught him many things, and besides, the Eight Views Celestial Realm was her domain anyway.

More importantly, Gu An already knew who was after her.

Before heading to Gu Hao Sect, he had once caught a glimpse of Jiang Qiong using divine sense detection. That was why he had taken the Nightshade Sect Leader’s Token—intending to hand it over to her.

Jiang Qiong was ambitious, after all.

Her pursuers were two Void Transformation Stage grandmasters, but they had already lost her trail and were still wandering the Da Yu Dynasty in search.

Hearing Gu An’s words, Jiang Qiong smiled. She waved a hand and took out a white jade vial.

“The spirit essence inside is precious. Take one sip per month—no more, or your blood and qi will become unstable. It can improve your innate aptitude.”

Gu An hesitated. “I can’t accept this—you should keep it for yourself.”

“I’ve already consumed plenty. This is just the leftover, and it’s useless to me now. Just take it—no arguing.”

Jiang Qiong’s stern expression left Gu An no choice but to accept it.

After chatting for half an hour, they made their way to the Eight Views Celestial Realm.

Gu An mentioned that the Spirit Tree had developed sentience, but Jiang Qiong wasn’t surprised—she said the Thousand Autumn Pavilion’s Spirit Tree had sentience as well.

Beforehand, Gu An had already warned the tree via voice transmission, instructing it on what could and couldn’t be revealed.

Upon returning to the Eight Views Celestial Realm, Jiang Qiong immediately noticed that the spiritual energy was far richer than before.

She was quite pleased with Gu An.

“Disciple-grandson, Thousand Autumn Pavilion has disbanded, and my family has perished. From now on, I’ll be relying on you—will you mind?” she teased, leaning on his shoulder.

Gu An sidestepped slightly. “Why would I mind? I’ve been wanting to learn formation techniques from you.”

Then, he retrieved something from beneath the Spirit Tree—the Ji Family’s Divine Ability Record—and handed it to her.

Jiang Qiong had once stolen it from a Ji Family banquet, and it contained records of the Heaven and Earth Dao Gang divine ability.

Gu An had already mastered Heaven and Earth Dao Gang and even upgraded it to Dao Gang Vital Qi, granting him automatic defense against surprise attacks from foes of the same realm.

Jiang Qiong’s expression grew complicated as she looked at the record in her hands.

For some reason, her emotions felt… tangled.

Gu An saw her reaction and immediately thought: Oh no.

She’s not about to get sentimental, is she?

Before she could say anything, he quickly made an excuse and slipped away.

Watching him leave, Jiang Qiong sighed. “This kid is so foolish—he didn’t even study it himself.”

She could tell that the record’s protective formation remained intact, meaning Gu An hadn’t broken its seal.

So naive… He’s bound to run into trouble someday.

I’ll have to teach him.

Jiang Qiong’s return didn’t change Gu An’s daily life. He only visited the Eight Views Celestial Realm once every seven days, bringing her carefully prepared herbs so she wouldn’t have to pick them herself.

Meanwhile, throughout the Taixuan Sect, the atmosphere remained somber due to Ancestor Kusong’s death.

By year’s end, a major event shook the cultivation world—the Hanlu Dynasty surrendered.

The Taicang Empire had officially annexed Hanlu Dynasty, breaking the Nine Dynasties' thousand-year balance.

Li Xuandao’s prestige soared, and even the Outer Sect buzzed with discussions.

If he truly unified the world, he would be remembered in history.

But as the world changed, a dark force moved in the night…