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

Chapter 1097: Chapter 1088: The Overbearing Patriarch

In the vast expanse of purple aura, an elder dressed in black strode forth, grasping a horsetail whisk. His gaze was imposing, and with each step, the sun and moon seemed to rise and fall behind him, his Dharma Aspect frequently emerging.

As the Purple Willow Ancestor entered the hall, the hearts of the cultivators rose to their throats; those obstructing his sight promptly sidestepped.

Suddenly.

The Purple Willow Ancestor halted his steps, furrowing his brows. He immediately raised his hand in salute to the front, bending down, and said, "Greetings, Celestial Emperor, why are you here?"

His previously stern demeanor was now replaced by a look of embarrassment.

His Dao practice was inferior to Hongqian Ancestor’s, so he hadn’t sensed Hongqian Ancestor’s presence. Upon seeing Hongqian Ancestor, he was greatly startled, but having weathered many storms, he steadied his mindset.

At this moment, the cultivators suddenly realized that there was also a Tidal Stabilizing Needle within the hall.

Hongqian Ancestor was the second Celestial Emperor!

With such a presence in this hall, who would dare act recklessly?

Li Xuandao saw Purple Willow Ancestor’s apprehension towards Hongqian Ancestor and sighed with relief. Earlier in the Palace of the Polestar, he couldn’t discern whose cultivation level was higher, after all, the thirty-two Celestial Emperors were ranked according to their speed of enlightenment.

Yet, Li Xuandao felt some discomfort.

Does he now lack the status even to have Gu An back him up?

With just a command from Gu An, all his troubles could be resolved, which implied the gap between him and Gu An was widening.

Li Xuandao suddenly felt a sense of loss akin to Li Ya’s.

But this feeling came quickly and went just as fast.

Why ponder so much? As long as Gu An was still willing to engage with him, it meant their distance remained close.

The disparity in cultivation level wasn’t as significant as the proximity of their hearts.

Facing Purple Willow Ancestor’s salute, Hongqian Ancestor showed no appreciation but mocked, "You laugh at others’ bravado in the Human World, yet haven’t noticed the same in yourself?"

Purple Willow Ancestor’s expression instantly turned ashen; he hadn’t anticipated Hongqian Ancestor’s total disregard for his dignity.

Damn it!

Hadn’t he noticed them interacting in the Palace of the Polestar?

Purple Willow Ancestor was suddenly at a loss, caught in a dilemma; retreat would cost him face, while staying might provoke Hongqian Ancestor into action.

For a moment, the great hall fell into silence.

The cultivators there gazed at Hongqian Ancestor with awe and excitement, his dominance offering them boundless security.

This was the Celestial Emperor?

Those who hadn’t visited the Palace of the Polestar now understood what it meant to be a Celestial Emperor.

Absolute dominance!

Seeing Purple Willow Ancestor unable to speak, Li Xuandao didn’t wish to drive him to desperation, considering the multitude of unresolved causes and effects tied to him, reluctant to pursue a path of no return without clarity.

Li Xuandao glanced at Hongqian Ancestor and spoke, "Senior, Purple Willow Ancestor must be jesting with Us, right, Purple Willow Ancestor?"

Upon hearing this, Purple Willow Ancestor felt a jolt of joy, readying to speak, only for Hongqian Ancestor to snort coldly, unleashing his terrifying aura of Ultimate Merging Dao Venerable Emperor Realm Perfection.

"Joking? What identity do you hold to jest with Me?"

Hongqian Ancestor’s killing intent locked onto Purple Willow Ancestor, palpable to all.

Purple Willow Ancestor couldn’t move, his face altered dramatically, collapsing to his knees with a thud, trembling, gazing at Hongqian Ancestor in terror, unable to uphold the posture of an ancient Great Power.

Li Xuandao was also intimidated, shocked at Hongqian Ancestor’s temper despite his prior warmth and friendliness.

He turned his gaze to Gu An, noticing Gu An’s amused demeanor, feeling reassured.

As long as Gu An could control Hongqian Ancestor, all would be well.

Hongqian Ancestor suppressed Purple Willow Ancestor with killing intent, stepping forward heavily, each step pounding upon Purple Willow Ancestor’s heart, exuding overwhelming pressure.

As Hongqian Ancestor approached, Purple Willow Ancestor felt amplified terror, his pupils quivering, mouth opened, wanting to plead for mercy, yet unable to utter a word.

The cultivators were equally frightened; perhaps Hongqian Ancestor intended to kill Purple Willow Ancestor outright?

Yang Jian was similarly fearful; how could his master have such a fearsome presence beside him?

Previously, he’d found Hongqian Ancestor rather amicable.

Wondering if it was an illusion, Yang Jian perceived a cold snort by his ear, an unfamiliar voice.

The snorter was the Great Profound Yin Dominator, disdainful of Hongqian Ancestor’s bullying tactics, recalling his own similar treatment of Hongqian Ancestor, halting his judgment.

Hongqian Ancestor stood before Purple Willow Ancestor, grasping his head, slightly shaking, a gesture brimmed with humiliation.

Purple Willow Ancestor could no longer care about dignity, imploring Hongqian Ancestor with his gaze.

He was a Xuan Qi Primordial Immortal, meant to roam freely beyond the Three Realms, yet against the Supreme Emperor of Ultimate Merging Dao, he was powerless.

"Youngster, you call yourself an ancestor, which displeases Me. Remember, Li Xuandao is protected by My Ancestor Master. Should you dare seek trouble again, those you rely upon will all perish."

Hongqian Ancestor spoke with a cold tone, and with his words, he violently struck, turning Purple Willow Ancestor to blood mist.

The blow left the cultivators aghast.

At this juncture, Gu An rose, stretching leisurely, grinning at Li Xuandao, "I’m leaving; I’ll find you next time when I have a chance."

He exchanged a glance with Long Teng and Yang Jian, then moved towards Hongqian Ancestor.

The Great Profound Yin Dominator rose as well, trailing Gu An’s steps.

On both sides, the cultivators watched Gu An and the Great Profound Yin Dominator in silence, their curiosity about Gu An at its peak.

It was evident Hongqian Ancestor followed Gu An.

Was the ancestor he spoke of earlier this very person?

They noticed Gu An’s aura was elusive, indiscernible, hinting at unfathomable cultivation.

Li Xuandao watched Gu An and his companion depart without a word, aware that accompanying them might betray their goodwill.

This time, Li Xuandao’s fame would surely spread, and the Great Powers across the Heavenly Dao would learn of the formidable support behind him.

Such sentiment weighed heavily!

As Gu An walked past Hongqian Ancestor, the latter flicked his hand and followed in his footsteps.

Observing their retreating figures, the cultivators felt enormous pressure, releasing a collective sigh only after they exited the hall.

A Lingxiao Daoist turned to Li Xuandao, unable to resist asking, "Who was that ancestor?"

Li Xuandao sat at the head, smiling cryptically and countered, "Among the Heavenly Dao, which ancestor is the greatest?"

The Lingxiao Daoist paused, pondering deeply.

"Could it be the Ancestor Master Wushi of the Wushi Realm?"

A female cultivator cautiously inquired, and as all eyes turned to her, she hastily explained, "I’ve long heard that His Majesty is close with a Wushiji Disciple, so I thought of his elder..."