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

Chapter 121: Battle for the World's Number One

An Hao’s Taicang Frightening God Sword Intent shook the entire Taixuan Sect, sparking countless discussions among the disciples. The overwhelming sword intent persisted for several hours before finally dissipating. In the following days, rumors spread wildly, but one thing was certain—the immense pressure had come from a sword intent. As a result, more and more sword cultivators gathered at Heavenly Mending Platform.

Gu An’s days, however, were peaceful. He frequently traveled between the three Medicine Valleys, occasionally visited Xuantian Cave Dwelling at night, and spent the rest of his time simply enjoying life.

In the blink of an eye, nearly half a year had passed.

Gu An turned sixty-two years old.

By now, news of the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path slaying the demonic leader of the Nightshade Sect had finally spread throughout the cultivation world. Every time Gu An ventured into the Outer Sect, he would overhear discussions about it. The Sword Sovereign had already gained a reputation as the greatest sword cultivator in the Taicang Empire.

Some even claimed he was the number one swordsman in the world!

That noon, Gu An stood at the edge of Heavenly Mending Platform, gazing at the towering hundred-foot stone statue ahead, feeling quite content.

The statue was a divine monument of the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path, depicting Gu An in his Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Body stance. His entire form radiated sculpted demonic energy, exuding an awe-inspiring presence. One hand pointed diagonally, while the other gripped a sword—a domineering posture.

At this moment, Gu An was not the only one admiring the statue. More than a dozen other disciples stood nearby, gazing up at it while engaged in discussion.

Listening to their words of admiration, Gu An felt even more pleased.

Who wouldn’t want their name to be known across the world?

Gu An certainly did, but he had always kept a low profile to conceal his lifespan-stealing ability. However, being able to dominate the world under another identity satisfied his vanity just as well.

Suddenly, a voice broke the moment.

“The Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path is undoubtedly the greatest swordsman of the Taicang Empire, but that doesn’t mean he’s the greatest in the world!”

The statement immediately drew everyone’s attention, including Gu An’s.

The speaker was a young man in blue robes, holding a folding fan. He was handsome and elegant, his expression calm—as if the outrageous words just now hadn’t come from his own mouth.

A burly Inner Sect disciple turned to face him and said in a deep voice, “Oh? Then why don’t you tell us who is the world’s greatest sword cultivator?”

By now, the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path was a source of pride for every Taixuan Sect disciple. No one would allow his name to be questioned.

The blue-robed man smiled faintly and answered, “In the far west, within Tianwei, there is a swordsman known as the Heavenly Sword Daoist. Seven hundred years ago, he was Tianwei’s number one sword cultivator. Later, he secluded himself in the mountains to focus on sword comprehension. Recently, an immense sword intent erupted in Tianwei, proving that he is still alive. If the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path hadn’t acted so quickly, the one to destroy the Nightshade Sect might have been this elder instead.”

Tianwei, one of the Nine Dynasties, lay in the farthest west. It was constantly plagued by demons and monsters, yet its vast territory surpassed even Taicang, proving its formidable national strength.

Gu An narrowed his eyes, sensing that this man was hiding his true cultivation. On the surface, he appeared to be at the Core Formation Stage, but in reality, he had already reached the Transformation Stage.

Out of curiosity, Gu An used his lifespan probe.

【Si Zhe (Transformation Stage, Second Level): 289/800/1300】

A hidden expert, openly boasting about Tianwei cultivators—this guy was definitely not a Taixuan Sect disciple.

Gu An remained silent, simply watching as the surrounding disciples verbally attacked Si Zhe.

But Si Zhe remained calm. Even in the face of curses and insults, his composure did not waver.

Just then, a powerful voice interrupted.

"Heavenly Sword Daoist was indeed a mighty figure, once famous across the world. But that’s ancient history. And you—a Tianwei royal with Fire God Bloodline—daring to speak so arrogantly in Taixuan Sect, are you trying to provoke a war?”

All eyes turned toward the speaker—Han Ming, the Sword Maniac of Da Yu, striding forward.

Si Zhe turned and cupped his hands. “Ah, so it’s Sword Maniac himself. I’ve heard that you’ve been in Taixuan Sect for years. Are you planning to join the sect?”

He smiled politely, but his words carried an unmistakable sense of provocation.

"Hmph, brat, if not for the favor I owe your emperor father, you’d already be a corpse. Do you really think your Transformation Stage cultivation can withstand my sword?" Han Ming snorted coldly.

Transformation Stage!

Upon hearing this, the disciples who had been insulting Si Zhe paled and instinctively stepped back.

“Well then, I won’t keep pretending.”

Si Zhe chuckled, then swept his gaze around before channeling his energy and declaring loudly,

“I am Si Zhe, prince of Tianwei and disciple of the Heavenly Sword Daoist! Today, I challenge on behalf of my master! Three months from now, my master will personally descend upon Heavenly Mending Platform to exchange sword techniques with the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path!”

His voice echoed through the sky, reaching every corner of the city.

A challenge against the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path?

Han Ming merely laughed. He had been the first to challenge the Sword Sovereign. He smirked and asked, “The Nightshade Sect had experts beyond the Integration Stage. Does your master possess such cultivation?”

Si Zhe closed his fan and sneered, “Of course. My father originally intended to invite him to destroy the Nightshade Sect, but unfortunately, he was a step too late.”

His arrogant tone, as if the Heavenly Sword Daoist was certain to defeat the Sword Sovereign, made the Taixuan Sect disciples even angrier.

At that moment, an elder appeared beside Si Zhe and whispered something through a Sound Transmission Technique. Si Zhe’s expression shifted slightly before he scoffed, “Let’s go. I’ve already delivered my message—whether the challenge is accepted or not is up to the Sword Sovereign.”

With that, he turned and left with the elder.

Gu An watched him depart, feeling a growing sense of caution.

The Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path had just crushed the Nightshade Sect’s schemes, and now, someone dared to challenge him. This opponent was likely no weakling.

Still, Gu An didn’t dwell on it for long. He turned away from Heavenly Mending Platform, heading off to check on Wu Jue.

A month ago, Wu Jue’s maximum lifespan had increased again, making Gu An even more intrigued. How much further could his lifespan extend?

—

At dusk, Li Ya, carrying the Northern Sea Heavy Sword, arrived at the edge of Heavenly Mending Platform. Staring up at the statue of the Sword Sovereign, his eyes gleamed with excitement.

“Ancestor… our Li Family’s founder really is the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path!”

His ancestor’s voice in his mind was equally shocked. “I always thought he was…”

“What? A demon from Thousand Autumn Pavilion?”

“…Yes.”

“Haha! I knew it! Our ancestor could never have been a demonic cultivator!”

Meanwhile, not far away, Wu Jue stood in silent contemplation, gazing at the statue with sorrowful eyes.

“Master… you always revered the Sword Sovereign. If only you were here to witness the coming battle.”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!