Steadily becoming a saint, the immortal officials hired me to tend the horses

Before coming, Gu An had already observed with his divine sense that the strongest on the island was slightly stronger than a Divine Soul True Lord, but not by much. If there was a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, he would not have dared to come.

If there was a Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal, then there could be an even higher realm.

If the strongest on the surface was only a Wandering Immortal, there should not be a more terrifying existence hidden in the shadows.

Even if there was, as long as Gu An did not cause trouble, nothing should happen.

He went to the Sea Protection Mansion in the city, intending to conduct a transaction and register for an identity token, which would allow him to enter and exit the various buildings. This was information he had gathered with his divine sense earlier.

The Sea Protection Mansion was very large, with many cultivators coming and going, covering an area of a hundred miles. As soon as Gu An entered, a servant greeted him.

"Senior, may I ask what you are here for?"

"To register for an identity token."

"Alright, let me take you there. This way, please."

The servant's demeanor was very respectful and enthusiastic.

Gu An followed him. There were many servants like him. Although their attire was not luxurious, it was clean and respectful. From the color of their clothes, their status in the Sea Protection Mansion could be judged. The clothes of this servant were the most common.

After asking Gu An if he was a newcomer, the servant began to introduce the Sea Protection Mansion and the island to him.

This island was called Immortal Seeking Island, a famous neutral island in the ocean. Transactions could be conducted here safely. If something went wrong, the Island Master would ensure justice. Moreover, connections could be made with Great Sects such as the Star Sea Congregations, Seven Stars Spirit Realm, and Deep Sea Spirit Palace.

When introducing the background of Immortal Seeking Island, the servant was not arrogant, remaining humble, which Gu An found impeccable.

When Gu An asked for his name, the servant was flattered and quickly introduced himself.

Actually, even without his introduction, Gu An already knew, but it was necessary to go through the formalities.

[Hu Xiaojian (Nascent Soul Realm, Second Layer): 480/860/2200]

A lifespan of this extent could make him a genius in the Supreme Sect, but on Immortal Seeking Island, he could only serve as a servant.

Gu An sighed inwardly.

"By the way, Senior, have you reached the Immortal Path Realm? If so, I can guide you to obtain a High-Rank Identity Token, which comes with various benefits." Hu Xiaojian asked cautiously.

He could tell from Gu An's extraordinary bearing, though not overbearing, that Gu An was likely a Great Cultivator who had returned to simplicity.

Gu An responded affirmatively, making Hu Xiaojian even more excited.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, under Hu Xiaojian's guidance, Gu An arrived at a large hall where most of the cultivators coming and going were in the Mahayana Realm or Nirvana Realm.

The Nirvana Realm cultivators were likely outsiders like Gu An, while the Mahayana Realm cultivators belonged to the Sea Protection Mansion.

As for Loose Immortals, they were rare to encounter.

Hu Xiaojian approached an elderly man and explained Gu An's intention. The elder immediately stood up and led the two to a side hall.

[Chu Feng (Nirvana Realm, Fifth Layer): 3860/15000/17000]

Gu An silently noted this information, then followed Chu Feng.

Chu Feng took a white jade token, uninscribed, from a redwood cabinet, handed it to Gu An, and said, "Inject your mana into this, then silently recite your name to register."

Gu An took the white jade token, adjusted his cultivation level, and injected his mana.

After a few breaths, he raised the identity token to show Chu Feng.

"Meng Lang, Loose Immortal Realm, Sixth Layer."

Chu Feng read aloud, then quickly raised his hand in salute, respectfully addressing him as Senior.

Hu Xiaojian was even more excited, also saluting.

Gu An put away the identity token and casually asked, "I heard there are many benefits to a High-Rank Identity Token?"

Chu Feng nodded and respectfully introduced the benefits of a High-Rank Identity Token.

Tax transaction discounts, permanent cave residence, allocation of five servants, and more.

Gu An was very pleased with what he heard and ultimately decided to have Hu Xiaojian lead the way, making Hu Xiaojian feel flattered while Chu Feng smiled and encouraged Hu Xiaojian.

Thus, Gu An began his procurement journey on Immortal Seeking Island.

First, he had to exchange for Spirit Stones. It was worth mentioning that on Immortal Seeking Island, the basic currency was a Top-Grade Spirit Stone. Low-grade and Mid-Grade Spirit Stones were not allowed here.

Low-Rank Cultivators did not even have the qualification to enter the island, a harsh reality.

But on second thought, who below the Nascent Soul Realm could cross the ocean to reach Immortal Seeking Island?

Immortal Seeking Island was surrounded by millions of miles of sea, with no other islands around. As for the mainland, it was even farther away.

To Hu Xiaojian, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm was a distant power. He had heard most about the Star Sea Congregations, the overlords of the ocean!

...

In the evening, Gu An returned to Mystic Valley.

Purchasing medicinal herbs took time, not a one-time deal. However, Immortal Seeking Island had plenty of high-rank medicinal herbs, even offering Ninth-Rank Medicinal Herbs, enough to meet Gu An's needs.

It was said that every few decades, Immortal Path Spirit Trees might even be auctioned on Immortal Seeking Island.

After greeting the disciples in the valley, he went upstairs.

Once the procurement was done, it would be time to publish Journey to the West!

Today's trip to Immortal Seeking Island had put Gu An in a good mood. Using the name Meng Lang was a way to commemorate an old friend.

He was not worried about being recognized.

Most people who knew Gu An would never reach Immortal Seeking Island in their lifetimes. As for geniuses like Xuan Tianyi and An Hao, without advancing to the Immortal Path Realm, they would find it difficult to come.

If Xuan Tianyi had connections with the Star Sea Congregations, he might have the chance to go to Immortal Seeking Island, but he had never heard of Meng Lang.

Gu An thought that many years later, if he met Xuan Tianyi overseas, Xuan Tianyi's expression would be interesting.

Speaking of Xuan Tianyi, that guy was still recovering from his injuries in the Supreme Sect. Who knows when he would recover his strength.

Gu An set aside these thoughts and focused on writing.

A month later.

Having just turned ninety-eight, Gu An came to Nianchu Cave. He found Tian Yao'er and brought her into his Grotto Heaven, then took out a large number of medicinal herb seeds and handed them to her for planting.

Looking at the multitude of seeds, Tian Yao'er's eyes widened, her breath quickening, "How long will this take to plant?"

Gu An had spent all his wealth, yet only a quarter of it was used. He chuckled softly, "These seeds are at least Seventh-Order. Be careful, if you ruin any, I'll have to hold you accountable."

Seventh-order…seventh-order?

Tian Yao'er was stunned, then thrilled. With so many high-rank medicinal herbs properly planted, the Spiritual Energy here would be abundant, wouldn't it?

She immediately began to take action.

Gu An, on the other hand, infused his mana into the ground, converting it into Five Element Spiritual Energy.

Relying solely on the Grotto Heaven to absorb Earth Spirit Energy was too slow.

Fortunately, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Skill documented a sorcery on how to convert mana into Spiritual Energy.

Busy days awaited!

...

Time flew by, and the Immortal Cultivation World welcomed a period of peace. In the blink of an eye, two years had passed.

Gu An's total lifespan had reached six million seven hundred thousand years. He had planted all the high-rank medicinal herbs he had purchased in his Grotto Heaven, but the maturity time for Seventh-Order Medicinal Grass was extremely long, so he had to be patient.

Though the wait was long, once harvested, it would be an enormous amount of lifespan!

Moreover, Seventh-Order Medicinal Grass had a strong life force and required little oversight.

That year, the Supreme Sect had grown much stronger. Meanwhile, the Taicang Dynasty and the Tianwei Dynasty had begun to war, while the Great Jiang Dynasty remained stable, not participating in the conflict.

The dynastic struggles were cruel but not a catastrophe, having no impact on the Immortal Cultivation World.

Gu An planned to achieve Core Formation that year.

His surface cultivation level needed to be improved!

One day at noon, Xuan Tianyi came to visit Gu An.

As they entered the house to chat, Xuan Tianyi cast many restrictions first. He was now the strongest cultivator in the Supreme Sect but still deployed many restrictions, indicating his awareness of several Great Cultivators infiltrating the Supreme Sect.

"Did you see the celestial phenomenon from that battle?" Xuan Tianyi turned to Gu An and asked solemnly.

Gu An nodded, then motioned for him to sit and talk.

Bam!

Xuan Tianyi slammed the table in fury, cursing, "I was schemed against by the Seven Stars Spirit Realm! A bunch of bastards! This isn't over!"

Gu An's eyelids twitched. Why are you telling me this?

He suddenly suspected that the Divine Soul True Lord's hostility towards him a few months ago was due to investigating Xuan Tianyi's connections.

"The Seven Stars Spirit Realm? Are you talking about the Holy Land?" Gu An asked cautiously.

Xuan Tianyi sat down, took a deep breath, and said, "Yes, I was thrown into the Evil Demon's sealing ground by cultivators from the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. If not for Sword Venerable Fudao's intervention, they would have wanted to eliminate me completely. How hateful! Divine Soul True Lord, just you wait!"

Gu An said worriedly, "The Holy Land is powerful. You mustn't be reckless. Even the entire Supreme Sect wouldn't be enough."

Xuan Tianyi looked at him and snorted, "I know that, but I'm not just a disciple of the Supreme Sect. I'm also a disciple of the Star Sea Congregations. My peers have already infiltrated the Supreme Sect. I'm planning to head south and inform my master about this. The Star Sea Congregations and the Seven Stars Spirit Realm both follow the righteous path and do not harm the common people. I will ensure the Seven Stars Spirit Realm doesn't have it easy!"

How bold!

You have a backer, and you didn't say so earlier?

Forcing me to take risks?

Gu An complained inwardly, feeling helpless.

Xuan Tianyi, seeing through his thoughts, said with a hint of regret, "After all, it is the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. Without a legitimate reason, the Star Sea Congregations would not act. I don't have that kind of influence, but if I had evidence, it would be different. Anyway, the Seven Stars Spirit Realm won't have a good time coming."

Gu An cautioned him, "Though I don't know how powerful the Star Sea Congregations are, be careful. The journey south is long; if anything happens on the way..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Xuan Tianyi understood.

"No worries. I will be accompanied by other disciples of the Star Sea Congregations, and there will be Immortal Path seniors overseeing from abroad. The Seven Stars Spirit Realm won't dare to act rashly." Xuan Tianyi reassured him.

Gu An felt relieved.

Xuan Tianyi then said, "You focus on your cultivation. Someday, I'll take you into the Star Sea Congregations; you might gain immortal destiny."

Gu An shook his head, "Forget it. The ocean is a place for the high and mighty. As a mere mortal, I'll stay in the Supreme Sect. I don't want to be a burden."

Xuan Tianyi tried to persuade him further but was diverted by Gu An, who asked him when he would return.

Xuan Tianyi said it depended on the situation, ranging from a few years to several decades. But he would definitely return, as his next goal was to help develop the Supreme Sect.

Although he was angry, he saw this as an opportunity. If the Star Sea Congregations pressured the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, the Supreme Sect could develop.

Even though he now belonged to the Star Sea Congregations, he wanted to help the Supreme Sect.

In any case, he believed that no matter how the Supreme Sect developed, it could never catch up to the Star Sea Congregations!