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

Chapter 178: Xuantian Yi’s Shock

Ancestor Xuan Quan struggled for a long time, but no matter how much strength he exerted, he could not lift the Heaven-Splitting Axe.

In the end, he had no choice but to let go and step back.

At that moment, everyone watching understood one thing—

Ancestor Xuan Quan was far weaker than the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path!

They had always assumed this to be true, but seeing the difference with their own eyes still left them in awe and disbelief.

Just how powerful was the Sword Sovereign’s cultivation?

Just then—

The blade of the Heaven-Splitting Axe emitted bursts of sword qi, slashing the ground and sending fragments of stone flying.

Di Xie had now fully regained his senses, but his expression was complicated—his mind utterly shaken.

The others assumed he was simply paralyzed with fear.

Then, they saw it—

On the surface of the Heavenly Mending Platform, right in front of the Heaven-Splitting Axe, appeared two lines of text:

"He who lifts the axe…"

"Shall inherit its legacy!"

Eight words.

For many present, their breathing quickened in excitement.

Immediately, a sect elder stepped forward, reaching for the Heaven-Splitting Axe.

Gu An had already returned.

Standing at the edge of the Heavenly Mending Platform, he watched as one cultivator after another attempted to lift the Heaven-Splitting Axe.

His lips curved into a faint smile.

The Heaven-Splitting Axe was forged from a million-year-old Northern Sea Darksteel.

Even Grand Ascension cultivators would find it unbearably heavy without using spiritual power.

And Gu An had also infused the axe with mystical energy and sword intent.

Only a Scattered Immortal could lift this axe!

No one in Taixuan Sect could do it—not yet.

Of course, Gu An wasn’t deliberately making things difficult for them.

Over the next several months, he would observe and choose a worthy inheritor.

In the meantime, he had another priority—

The complete eradication of the Seven Star Spirit Realm!

The Heaven-Splitting Axe was one of the Nine Great Legacies of the Seven Star Spirit Realm.

Giving it to a Taixuan Sect disciple too soon would only invite trouble.

Killing the Demon Master had granted Gu An a massive surge of lifespan—over 6,300 years!

The white bones beneath the Heaven-Splitting Axe had not turned to dust, which meant they were treasures in their own right.

But with the axe suppressing them, no one could take them away.

After observing for a while, Gu An turned and left.

Along the way, he could still hear disciples excitedly discussing the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path—

Unaware that he had just walked past them.

Ancestor Xuan Quan approached Di Xie, his expression serious.

"Come with me."

Di Xie, still covered in blood, snapped back to reality.

Without resisting, he nodded in agreement.

On a cliffside, Li Ya practiced his swordplay.

The Northern Sea Heavy Sword in his hands sliced through the wind, its movements swift and elegant.

Unlike years ago, his swordsmanship no longer appeared clumsy.

Instead, it had become graceful and refined.

Nearby, Li Family’s Ancestor hovered under a tree, his spirit form gazing into the distance, deep in thought.

Finishing his practice, Li Ya turned toward him and smirked.

"Ancestor, what do you think? Have I finally mastered this sword style?"

"If I unleash my sword's intent, even I can’t predict its power!

"Next time I meet An Hao, I might not lose!"

But the Li Family Ancestor didn’t respond—he remained distracted, staring into the distance.

Annoyed, Li Ya waved his hand in front of the ancestor’s face.

"Hey! I’m talking to you!"

"Be quiet," the ancestor snapped.

"I’m watching a battle."

Li Ya raised an eyebrow.

"What level?"

"Integration Stage."

Hearing that, Li Ya lost all interest.

"Not worth watching," he muttered.

"The real powerhouses are in the Profound Mind and Grand Ascension Stages now. The Integration Stage? I’ll reach that soon enough."

Then, his expression turned serious.

"I’m leaving the mountain."

The Li Family Ancestor barely reacted.

"Go ahead."

Li Ya hesitated for only a moment before turning away.

"Wait," the ancestor called after him.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to Taixuan Sect!"

The ancestor scowled.

"Are you still worried about that Gu An kid? What kind of spell has he cast on you?"

Li Ya didn’t turn around.

"It’s not about Gu An."

"Taixuan Sect is in danger.

"How can I sit here cultivating while the world descends into chaos?

"What’s the point of my training if I run and hide when the sect that raised me needs help?"

With that, he leapt off the cliff.

The Li Family Ancestor remained where he was, silently processing Li Ya’s words.

Slowly, a smile crept onto his face.

"That brat… He’s finally grown up."

Word of the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path’s single strike slaying a Grand Demon spread like wildfire through the cultivation world.

By the time it reached the frontlines, the morale of human cultivators soared!

According to Ancestor Xuan Quan’s analysis, the slain demon had been at the Grand Ascension Stage!

A Grand Demon’s death was a monumental victory for humanity!

Inside a great hall, Xuantian Yi sat at the head of the table, roaring with laughter.

"Hahaha! Taixuan Sect truly is impressive!"

"For the Sword Sovereign to slay a Grand Ascension demon in one blow… He must be catching up to me!"

Sitting beside him, Liang Canghai stroked his beard, smiling.

Even though Xuantian Yi’s words were arrogant, everyone knew—

The Sword Sovereign’s actions were a great boon to humanity.

The assembled cultivators, all at least at the Profound Mind Realm, praised the Sword Sovereign.

Notably, Taixuan Sect Master Lü Baitian was not among them.

This meeting was strictly for planning strategies against Profound Mind and Grand Ascension demons.

Since the Demonic Cataclysm erupted, humanity had faced a new crisis—

Traitors.

Some demons disguised themselves as humans.

Some humans willingly joined the demons, hoping to secure their own survival.

These developments complicated the war effort immensely.

A Grand Ascension cultivator spoke up.

"Why not invite the Sword Sovereign to the frontlines?"

His suggestion won widespread support.

"If he came," someone said, "our burden would be greatly reduced!"

A black-robed woman, Supreme Elder Su Xin of Taixuan Sect, finally spoke.

"The Sword Sovereign’s identity remains a mystery.

"He only watches over Taixuan Sect.

"We cannot force him to act, nor should we manipulate public opinion to pressure him."

The room fell silent.

Then, someone speculated.

"The Sword Sovereign knows the Demonic Shadow Divine Art.

"He might have ties to Thousand Autumn Pavilion.

"If so, maybe that’s why he doesn’t reveal himself."

Liang Canghai interjected.

"Previously, the Nine Nether Path emerged, and the Sword Sovereign intervened.

"I believe he will act again when the time is right.

"Perhaps… he’s waiting.

"Waiting to see just how powerful the Demon Emperor, the Demon Master, and the mysterious Demon Ancestor truly are."

As the discussion continued, the topic shifted to the Demon Emperor and the Demon Master.

A veteran Daoist from Three Pure Mountains suddenly spoke up.

"Could the demon that fell to the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path have been the Demon Emperor or the Demon Master?"

The hall fell silent.

Everyone frowned at the implications.

Liang Canghai spoke in a serious tone,

"This must be confirmed.

"Whether it was the Demon Emperor or the Demon Master, losing even one would shift the balance in our favor.

"Right now, we hesitate because of the unknown power lurking in the Demonic Domain—this uncertainty makes us cautious.

"But for a long-term war, hesitation is a weakness."

Xuantian Yi stood up.

"I’ll return to Taixuan Sect and investigate.

"I’ll be back by tomorrow at the latest."

No one objected.

After all, Taixuan Sect’s only known Grand Ascension cultivator was Xuantian Yi—they couldn’t risk sending Dao Lord instead.

Even Liang Canghai, the alliance leader, approved.

Without delay, Xuantian Yi departed.

Xuantian Yi strode onto the Heavenly Mending Platform.

His arrival turned heads.

Many Inner Sect disciples gasped in shock at his presence.

This Outer Sect City had become a pilgrimage site—some disciples came to witness the Heaven-Splitting Axe, others to comprehend the sword.

Most Inner Sect disciples had attended Xuantian Yi’s lectures before, so they recognized him instantly.

A hush fell over the Heavenly Mending Platform.

Even Outer Sect disciples, noticing the strange atmosphere, followed everyone’s gaze.

Silence.

Xuantian Yi walked straight to the Heaven-Splitting Axe.

A young disciple struggling to lift the axe was shoved aside by his companion.

Looking up, he paled instantly, then hurriedly backed away, bowing toward Xuantian Yi.

Xuantian Yi nodded slightly before stepping forward.

His gaze fell upon the inscription on the ground.@@novelbin@@

"He who lifts the axe shall inherit its legacy."

His eyes narrowed.

Such domineering sword intent!

Just from this sword aura, he immediately realized—

He was not the Sword Sovereign’s equal.

This revelation stirred even more questions in his mind.

This person was definitely not a cultivator raised by Taixuan Sect.

Why was he protecting Taixuan Sect?

The most logical answer—

He was hiding within the sect.

Xuantian Yi’s gaze shifted to the pile of white bones beneath the axe.

He carefully examined them.

Then, he extended his divine sense to investigate.

More and more cultivators gathered, whispering excitedly.

Even Outer Sect disciples soon realized—

This was Xuantian Yi, the True Legacy First Disciple!

Excitement spread through the crowd.

Was Xuantian Yi about to challenge the Sword Sovereign’s legacy?

For years, Xuantian Yi had dominated as Taixuan Sect’s greatest talent.

But to many disciples, he still wasn’t as legendary as the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path.

Why?

Because the Sword Sovereign was too mysterious!

Suddenly—

Xuantian Yi’s brows furrowed.

His eyes widened in shock.

This skeleton…

It wasn’t from a Grand Ascension cultivator!

It belonged to someone even stronger!

Xuantian Yi had wandered the overseas realms for years.

He had encountered Nirvana Stage Grandmasters, demonic creatures, and even immortals.

And yet—

The Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path had obliterated a Nirvana Stage demon with a single axe strike?

Was the Sword Sovereign an immortal?

Without hesitation, Xuantian Yi reached out—

His hand grasped the handle of the Heaven-Splitting Axe.

Heavy.

That was his first impression.

Just then, Ancestor Xuan Quan and Lu Lingjun arrived nearby.

Both observed Xuantian Yi with interest.

Lu Lingjun had previously tried lifting the Heaven-Splitting Axe, but couldn’t budge it.

She was curious—

Could Xuantian Yi do it?

With a single hand, Xuantian Yi exerted his strength.

The axe did not move.

A flicker of frustration crossed his eyes.

BOOM!

An overwhelming aura erupted from Xuantian Yi, shocking everyone.

The entire Heavenly Mending Platform trembled violently.

Some cultivators staggered back in fear.

How terrifying was Xuantian Yi’s power?

Spiritual energy surged, forming violent gales around him.

His robes billowed, flaring like battle banners.

Xuantian Yi bent his knees, gripping the axe with both hands.

He summoned all his strength—

But the axe did not move an inch.

"Impossible…"

Bloodshot veins surfaced in Xuantian Yi’s eyes.

His pride burned.

He had already accepted that the Sword Sovereign was stronger.

But to be unable to even lift his weapon?

Unacceptable!

His eyes snapped open, his aura surging.

His hair stood on end, as if charged with energy.

Mysterious blue runes surfaced on his neck.

This was his final trump card.

Would it be enough?