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

Chapter 1096: Chapter 1087: Li Xuandao’s Confidence

Facing Long Teng and Yang Jian, Hongqian Ancestor was very amiable, but towards others, he became aloof and cold.

The two of Long Teng could clearly sense the sudden change in Hongqian Ancestor’s aura, becoming oppressive, making it hard for others to meet his gaze.

Long Teng was still fine, having seen Hongqian Ancestor’s formidable demeanor before, but Yang Jian was deeply surprised.

How could someone who served as a servant to my master be so formidable?

To be referred to as Ancestor by the Great Powers here, his status must be extraordinary.

Li Xuandao also felt quite surprised upon seeing Gu An. Hongqian Ancestor knew Gu An?

He directly bypassed Hongqian Ancestor and approached Gu An, warmly grabbing his wrist.

"You’ve finally arrived, if you hadn’t come, I would have no peace of mind."

Li Xuandao’s behavior drew many gazes toward Gu An, but Gu An paid no mind, and began exchanging pleasantries with Li Xuandao.

Hongqian Ancestor was not neglected, as several Lingxiao Daoists approached to exchange greetings, also trying to inquire about the identities of Gu An and the Great Profound Yin Dominator, but Hongqian Ancestor said nothing.

Li Xuandao also did not introduce Gu An to others, knowing his temperament, and besides, Gu An was his greatest trump card, he was reluctant to let others have connections with him.

Soon, Li Xuandao led Gu An to the front, chatting with him alone, while Long Teng, Yang Jian, and the Great Profound Yin Dominator also received considerable attention, with people proactively engaging them, though the Great Profound Yin Dominator was aloof, ignoring everyone.

The Great Profound Yin Dominator’s attitude annoyed many cultivators, some even considering teaching him a lesson after the Dao lecture ended.

Such thoughts were amusing to the Great Profound Yin Dominator, as if not for concerns about Gu An’s presence, he would have instantly turned that person to dust.

Afterwards, more guests arrived, making the atmosphere in the hall increasingly lively.

Gu An let Li Xuandao attend to his duties; he had little to discuss with him.

He sat on the mat Li Xuandao arranged, casually observing the cultivators socializing in the hall, it was his first time at such a lively Dao lecture, and he found it quite fresh.

Gu An was the only one sitting in the hall, making cultivators all the more curious about him.

Someone couldn’t resist approaching Gu An, but before speaking, they were stopped by Hongqian Ancestor.

Hongqian Ancestor stood by Gu An, like an iron tower, his gaze sharp, none could withstand his stare.

Gu An did not stop Hongqian Ancestor, feeling instead that he was perceptive, not having wasted the years bringing him along.

His visit this time was primarily due to Li Xuandao’s invitation, so Gu An had no intention of establishing cause and effect with others.

About another hour passed, and the imperial palace’s gates slammed shut, a circle of white light spread across the floor, sweeping around, expanding the hall’s space unexpectedly.

Li Xuandao had everyone find a seat, seemingly without order, though most sat according to their cultivation level.

Though Long Teng and Yang Jian had lower cultivation levels, they were personally arranged by Li Xuandao in the first row, to Gu An’s right.

Before starting the lecture on the Dao, Li Xuandao first looked at Gu An. Seeing Gu An watching him gave him some pressure.

He feared his teachings might not be profound enough, causing Gu An to laugh.

Yet the bowstring was drawn, and had to be released; after composing himself, he began to preach.

Li Xuandao had cultivated for countless millennia, having his own understanding of the Great Dao, and having heard the Primordial Saint Path in the Palace of the Polestar, he indeed had something to teach.

This lecture on the Dao was not as long as those in the Palace of the Polestar, yet still lasted a year.

After a year, the Imperial City became even more lively, but this liveliness also brought about hidden dangers.

The reputation of the Lingxiao Daoists was truly too illustrious, with thirty-two Celestial Emperors submitting to the Celestial Court, no living beings dared to offend, yet for those Lingxiao Daoists who had not joined the Celestial Court, many forces and Great Powers coveted them, hoping to learn the Primordial Saint Path from them or even replace them.

After Li Xuandao’s lecture ended, the cultivators in the hall still savored it, occasionally exchanging with each other, while Li Xuandao did not immediately dismiss them, satisfying the cultivators’ questions, answering them one by one, fully showcasing the demeanor of a Great Power.

Gu An sat below, seeing Li Xuandao’s current demeanor, and felt very gratified.

Li Xuandao could be counted as someone he had fostered, achieving such accomplishments brought light to his face naturally.

Now Gu An began to enjoy the glory brought by his disciples, hence, the reputation of the Wushi Realm rose, which he did not hinder.

In Central Heaven, nearly all cultivators were aware of the Wushi Realm’s existence, known as the Heavenly Dao Sacred Land outside the Celestial Court with the most profound Daoist Lineage, and also the most mysterious, the name of the Wushi Realm continued to spread to the Heavenly Dao, since Wushiji Disciples always traveled, widely bestowing opportunities and merit, following Gu An’s example.

Even here, Gu An occasionally heard other cultivators mention the Wushi Realm, though Li Xuandao, Long Teng, and Yang Jian never revealed Gu An’s true identity, and when they heard such discussions, they felt a subtle delight.

Though Li Xuandao was not a disciple of the Wushi Realm, due to Gu An, he always felt a part of it, and when the Wushi Realm was praised, he felt sincerely happy, even honored.

After the lecture ended, Li Xuandao’s mindset became stable, and after undergoing something once, he would not be nervous again.

He already started planning to host more lectures, spreading his influence alongside that of the Tai Cang Dynasty.

Gu An found it somewhat tiresome, yet he still gave face to Li Xuandao and did not rise.

If he left, Hongqian Ancestor would follow, inevitably stirring other cultivators.

Many cultivators present hoped to use this opportunity to establish relations with Hongqian Ancestor.

"A dignified Lingxiao Daoist, yet indulging here, deviating from the Immortal Dao, defying the Great Dao."

A domineering voice echoed from outside the hall, akin to muffled thunder, waking cultivators still immersed in contemplation.

Following came an impossibly vast pressure, oppressing every cultivator in the hall except Gu An, Hongqian Ancestor, and the Great Profound Yin Dominator.

Li Xuandao’s brow furrowed immediately, the other’s aura was too strong, instinctively unsettling him, though the next moment, his brow relaxed.

What was there to fear?

Even if the Heavenly King Laozi himself came, he would not cower!

He glanced at Gu An, full of confidence, and coldly shouted, "Purple Willow Ancestor, back in the Palace of the Polestar, I didn’t see you act so wildly."

Purple Willow Ancestor!

This name changed the countenances of many cultivators in the hall.

Purple Willow Ancestor was a Great Power renowned across the Heavenly Dao, also one of the Lingxiao Daoists, and an ancient existence surpassing the Dao Extreme Daluo Immortal.

For the cultivators present, Purple Willow Ancestor was an ancient legend, an unreachable existence, yet such a figure was here to cause trouble.

Many cultivators felt trepidation, fearing they might incur Purple Willow Ancestor’s wrath due to their closeness with Li Xuandao.

"Hmph, after merely hearing the Holy Dao at the Palace of the Polestar, you dare descend to manifest your sanctity!"

Purple Willow Ancestor’s voice sounded again, following which the palace doors flung open, with a vast purple aura surging in, prompting everyone to rise and look.