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

Chapter 355 The Power of Destiny

Seeing that Gu An remained silent, Zhang Xianwang continued elaborating on the might of the Immortal Dynasty. Its history stretched back farther than the Holy Court, having existed across untold eras.

“The first Immortal King of the mortal realm was the founder of the Immortal Dynasty. He once stood against the Heavens. Though he failed and brought a great flood upon the world, his strength was beyond question. To this day, the Holy Court has never produced anyone of his caliber.”

Zhang Xianwang’s expression was full of admiration, leaving Gu An a little surprised.

So the Immortal King was the founder of the Immortal Dynasty?

If that’s the case, why don’t they pursue the Immortal King’s Crown?

Could it be because the crown devours one’s life force?

That thought lingered in Gu An’s mind, and he suddenly suspected the Immortal King’s Crown might hold a secret.

After all, for it to become so weakened that it couldn’t even suppress a Grand Ascension Stage soul—there must have been many twists and turns throughout the ages.

To recruit the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path?

But the Sword Sovereign had already refused once.

Zhang Xianwang smiled and looked out the window. “Of course not. But as for my purpose, I can’t tell you just yet.”

Gu An’s expression shifted slightly. His divine sense spread instantly, covering the entire Severed Sea Region.

He found Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Dynasty spread across other continents and oceans, each concealing their dynasty’s Fortune very well—but they couldn’t escape the eyes of a Divine Soul Immortal.

Raising his divine sense higher, Gu An scanned the world on a grand scale. He saw the spirits scattered all over, secretly watching over fortune. Their auras were as numerous as stars in the cosmos.

What exactly was the Immortal Dynasty planning?

Even as he pondered, Gu An calmly replied, “Thanks for your offer, Daoist friend. But I can’t bring myself to abandon the Taixuan Sect. I’m sorry.”

Zhang Xianwang turned his gaze back to Gu An and smiled. “No rush. You still have time to consider. I’ll be staying here in the sect for a few years.”

Gu An nodded. The conversation shifted, and the two began drinking.

Outside, the wind picked up, rustling the vines on the windowsill.

Zhang Xianwang’s arrival didn’t cause much of a stir in the Taixuan Sect. Everything remained calm—at least on the surface. Every disciple was still caught up in their own struggles and personal journeys.

Seven days later—

Gu An brought An Xin back to Mortal Peak. The two wandered around, picking medicinal herbs along the way.

During their stroll, they ran into Xu Xi. After greeting Gu An, Xu Xi looped her arm through An Xin’s, and the two of them pulled aside to whisper excitedly.

Since Xu Xi had once helped Gu An entertain Lu Lingjun, he would occasionally guide her in cultivation. After a few interactions, Xu Xi and An Xin had grown quite familiar with each other.

After a while, Gu An suddenly said, “Xu Xi, take An Xin to see Lu Lingjun. She’s back again. Do the same as last time.”

Lu Lingjun?

An Xin’s eyes widened behind her mask. Then she heard Gu An’s voice through spiritual transmission, and her expression immediately turned strange.

She seemed to realize something—and her eyes lit up with excitement.

Soon, the two girls soared toward Dao Discussion Peak.

Gu An wandered on alone, strolling casually and occasionally chatting with disciples from Ding Tian Peak.

He noticed an Immortal Spirit from the Immortal Dynasty hidden within Dao Discussion Peak, perfectly concealing his aura. No one on Mortal Peak had detected him.

Gu An didn’t intend to interfere. If the Immortal Dynasty was laying plans, it was surely aimed at the Holy Court. No way he’d volunteer to be the first to stick his neck out.

The dynasty was both recruiting sects and secretly placing its people inside them. What exactly was it plotting?

Even if it wanted to destroy the world, Gu An doubted it had the strength. In his opinion, the Immortal Dynasty wasn’t a match for the Holy Court.

Time passed quickly.

By dusk, An Xin returned, and Gu An led her back to the Taixuan Sect.

As they walked through the mountain forest, An Xin removed her mask and said excitedly, “Master, I finally get the appeal of hiding one’s identity! Senior Lu didn’t recognize me at all—she even treated me like a senior!”

In the past, she’d always shown deference to Lu Lingjun. Who’d have thought the roles would one day reverse?

Now she understood why her master kept his cultivation hidden while continuing to care for those he knew under a different identity—it really was a unique feeling.

“Master, if Senior Lu ever learns who you really are, she’ll regret it. She’s spent so many years wandering, never realizing that in the Third Medicine Valley, she could joke and bicker with you. But here on Mortal Peak, even her own master doesn’t qualify to meet you.”

As she spoke, An Xin couldn’t help but sigh, her heart full of gratitude.

Meeting Lu Lingjun again reminded her just how lucky she was.

Compared to Lu Lingjun, she’d barely struggled—but already stood in a position Lu Lingjun could only dream of.

“Don’t overthink it,” Gu An said casually. “I just want to focus on cultivation. I don’t want to get too tangled in all this. You should be the same—no matter what you achieve, always stay humble.”

An Xin nodded. “I understand. Master, you care so much about Senior Lu—her future must be bright. I’m just sighing at how different choices lead to different paths.”

“By the way, Master, how strong is the Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect compared to Mortal Peak? Those monks all seem so powerful, their presence even stronger than Shen Xinzi. I wonder why they came to Mortal Peak...”

She began chattering away. In truth, she wasn’t looking for answers—she just wanted to share her thoughts.

Gu An listened quietly, not responding.

He had his own thoughts, too.

At different cultivation levels, one saw very different worlds.

Lu Lingjun was still chasing her path to immortality. An Xin, under his protection, lived carefree. They each had their own lives—but neither realized that the world was on the brink of catastrophe.

If the Immortal Dynasty and Holy Court went to war, the whole realm would be dragged into the chaos.

Before two towering giants, the lives of ordinary beings were fragile and insignificant.

“Keep cultivating. For now, Lu Lingjun is still someone you can aim to surpass,” Gu An said softly, gazing ahead.

“Mhm! I’ll do my best! I won’t waste Master’s affection!” An Xin said firmly, her eyes shining with determination and hope.

Beneath the blue sky—

Towering peaks rose high. Gentle winds blew as birds soared between mountains.

An Hao, dressed in long blue-and-white robes, stood halfway up a mountain. He looked up at the summit, where a figure stood tall, wrapped in crimson flames.

The flaming figure had a noble aura and a calm expression. His luxurious robes clearly marked him as someone extraordinary.

He looked down at An Hao and said, “Born with great fortune and an imperial destiny, you are fated to join the Immortal Dynasty.”

An Hao narrowed his eyes. “Immortal Dynasty? You call yourselves ‘immortals’? How arrogant.”

He rolled his neck, and flames burst from his body.

Fiery Sun Treasure Body!

A terrifying aura erupted, cracking the mountains beneath his feet. Dust filled the air and stones flew everywhere.

The man on the summit smiled, eyes gleaming with admiration.

“You haven’t even fully awakened your physique,” he said.

“What do you mean?” An Hao asked, seeing the man bore no hostility and choosing not to strike first.

“You’ve cultivated the Fiery Sun Treasure Body, which means your base physique is already extraordinary. You might possess a constitution that surpasses even Ancient Treasure Bodies. Sadly, no one has helped you unlock it. Join the Immortal Dynasty. With that kind of fortune, you were born to walk the path of heaven. Only we can help you grow.”

He paused, then added, “In the Immortal Dynasty, our people are born at the Nirvana Stage, and our Emperor has already reached the Eighth Layer of the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Path. Don’t you want to know why your talent is so great? Maybe you were born as an Immortal Spirit. Why not come with us and pursue true immortality?”

An Hao’s expression shifted.

Born at Nirvana Stage?

Eighth Layer of the Ninth Heaven?

He’d wandered the seas for many years, but this was his first time encountering such a formidable faction.

He was intrigued—but not so gullible as to believe everything instantly.

“If the Immortal Dynasty is really that powerful, then sure, I’ll consider joining. But first, you have to beat me.”

He leapt into the sky, flames surging like a blazing sun rising into the heavens, casting golden light across the land.

The red-robed man looked up, smiling. “Then get ready to face the Mystic Celestial Immortal.”

Mystic Celestial Immortal?

An Hao frowned instinctively—then his expression shifted drastically.

Year’s End.

Gu An was in his room chatting about calligraphy and painting with Shen Zhen. Partway through, he lost interest.

While responding halfheartedly, he extended his divine sense, spying on the world.

He checked in on old acquaintances.

Li Ya was still at Three Pure Mountains, comprehending the Dao and training in some divine ability.

Jiang Qiong was negotiating with leaders of other sects—tense atmosphere.

Wu Jue was in the Demonic Lands, accompanied by a woman. Gu An happened to catch them getting intimate and quickly retracted his divine sense.

“Broad daylight, using the grass as a bed—didn’t expect that from him...” Gu An mused silently, then checked on others.

Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were busy investigating a strange case in a branch sect—clearly overwhelmed.

Wait!

Where was An Hao?

Gu An immediately searched for him—and found him far from the Severed Sea Region, flying toward the far reaches of the world.

With him was... a Mystic Celestial Immortal?

An Immortal Spirit of the Immortal Dynasty?

Gu An eavesdropped and quickly realized An Hao was about to join the Immortal Dynasty.

He suddenly felt the stirrings of destiny.

Yang Jian had gone to the Holy Court. Now An Hao was joining the Immortal Dynasty.

The two of them had once agreed to spar at the Heavenly Rankings Tournament... Would their duel now take place on a battlefield instead?

Gu An only thought about it—he didn’t plan to stop An Hao.

Even if he believed the Immortal Dynasty would lose, a force that had lasted so long had to have some deep foundation.

Besides, An Hao hadn’t been forced into this. If he ever needed him, he’d surely call for his master.

After watching for a while, Gu An withdrew his divine sense.

“Lately, I’ve had this idea for a scene I want to paint,” Shen Zhen suddenly said. “But I’m afraid it might provoke the wrath of the heavens. Should I do it?”

Gu An shook his head. “Don’t paint it. Just describe it.”

Shen Zhen took a deep breath and said mysteriously, “I envisioned two figures confronting each other—one like a blazing sun, the other like a ruler commanding the heavens. They stood above the Nine Heavens... locked in battle.”