Emei's Three Treasures

Willow Leaf Swordplay had been raised to the Achieve Mastery level. Achievement Points +100.

Willow Leaf Swordplay (Achieve Mastery)—Current Proficiency: 1/2000

At the same time, a notification suddenly appeared before Gu Shao'an.

His gaze fell upon the message, and Gu Shao'an smiled in satisfaction.

According to the settings Gu Shao'an and the other designers had made for the game, the chance of triggering Sudden Enlightenment was only thirty percent. But this was not a game. Unless his luck was truly abysmal, he would always trigger the effect of Sudden Enlightenment at least once within ten attempts.

With Sudden Enlightenment and visible proficiency, Gu Shao'an's comprehension could even reach the level of one in ten thousand.

By Gu Shao'an's estimate, at most two or three more instances of Sudden Enlightenment would be enough to raise Willow Leaf Swordplay to the "Smooth and Effortless" level.

He had gained another considerable amount of proficiency.

Letting out a long breath, Gu Shao'an raised the wooden sword in his right hand again and continued practicing Willow Leaf Swordplay.

In the distance, Miejue and the others stood at the edge of the bamboo grove. Watching Gu Shao'an immerse himself in training once more, they could not help praising him inwardly.

Bei Jinyi said softly, "Little Junior Brother is extraordinarily gifted, yet he trains so diligently as well. In a few years, his strength will probably catch up to ours."

No sooner had she spoken than Ding Minjun's voice rang out.

"Little Junior Brother's talent in swordsmanship is indeed unparalleled. But cultivating inner strength can only be done through steady persistence—dripping water wears through stone, and small streams fill the sea."

"Especially since he is cultivating our Emei Sect's Emei Nine Yang Skill. It is even more difficult to train. Accumulating inner strength will not be so easy."

Hearing Ding Minjun's words, Miejue frowned slightly. She snorted coldly and shot Ding Minjun a glance.

As Ding Minjun's master, Miejue understood this disciple of hers very well. Ding Minjun was power-hungry and lacked tolerance for others.

However, she had never committed any grave error. Moreover, while Ding Minjun's actions were driven by her desire for authority, they had inadvertently made Emei Sect's disciples more mindful of their conduct and discipline. Thus, Miejue had turned a blind eye and left her alone.

She had never expected Ding Minjun's tolerance for others to be so meager that she would even resent a Little Junior Brother who had only entered the sect days ago.

Noticing Miejue's cold gaze, Ding Minjun quickly lowered her head.

"This disciple spoke carelessly. I beg Master's forgiveness."

Only then did Miejue withdraw her gaze.

Looking again at Gu Shao'an practicing his swordsmanship in the distance, Miejue pondered for a moment. Then a trace of resolve flashed through her eyes, as though she had made a decision.

"Your master intends to give the two pills left behind by our founder to your junior brother."

The moment those words were spoken, shock appeared on the faces of Zhao Jingxuan, Ding Minjun, and Bei Jinyi alike.

As Miejue's disciples who had spent many years in Emei, they naturally knew what Miejue was referring to.

Emei had three treasures.

The first was the peerless weapon of this age, the Heavenly Sword, capable of slicing through iron like mud and generating sword qi on its own.

The second was the sect's foundational cultivation method, Emei Nine Yang Skill.

The third treasure was the pill passed down by Founder Guo Xiang: the Bodhi Exquisite Pill.

It was refined from Pusi Qu Snake Gallbladder, snake blood, Exquisite Grass, and forty-nine other medicinal ingredients.

After consumption, it could strengthen one's foundation and increase inner strength.

Although more than half its medicinal potency had dissipated after being preserved for so long, consuming one could still equal a full year of painstaking inner cultivation for a martial artist with good Bone Structure.

It could also increase a martial artist's physical strength.

Its effects were in no way inferior to Shaolin's Minor Restoration Pill.

Yet such pills were exceedingly rare. Back then, Founder Guo Xiang had only commissioned the refinement of nine Bodhi Exquisite Pills, and the recipe had not been passed down.

After a hundred years, only two Bodhi Exquisite Pills remained.

They were exceptionally precious to Emei.

Even after becoming sect leader, Miejue had believed her own talent insufficient and considered consuming them a waste. She had saved them for the next leader of Emei Sect.

Yet now Miejue wanted to take out the Bodhi Exquisite Pills for Gu Shao'an to consume. That alone showed how greatly she valued this disciple she had accepted only days ago.

Ding Minjun said anxiously, "Master, this—"

However, before Ding Minjun could voice her objection, she noticed Miejue's cold gaze sweep toward her. All the words that followed were immediately swallowed back down.

Yet as she lowered her head, the jealousy in her eyes grew even stronger.

Zhao Jingxuan and Bei Jinyi, on the other hand, had no objections.

After witnessing Gu Shao'an's talent, they all understood that he would inevitably become a pillar of Emei Sect in the future.

One had to know that more than a hundred years had passed since Founder Guo Xiang established Emei.

Yet throughout those hundred years, the sect had been in steady decline.

When Emei had first been founded, relying on Founder Guo Xiang's strength and reputation, Emei Sect might not have matched sects like Wudang or Shaolin, but it could still be considered a first-rate force in the martial world.

But now, it had long since fallen to the second rank.

Sects such as Kongtong Sect and Kunlun Sect, which had once needed to look up to Emei Sect, now dared to stand tall before it.

Whenever Miejue, who had devoted herself wholeheartedly to building Emei, thought of this, fury would surge within her. Yet she had no solution.

Now, Gu Shao'an's presence was undoubtedly an opportunity for Emei.

Given Gu Shao'an's talent, once he matured, he would surely be able to protect Emei for a hundred years, perhaps even lead Emei in restoring its former glory.

For a moment, when they looked toward the youth still immersed in sword practice in the distance, their eyes held a little more anticipation.

The next day.

Early morning.

When Gu Shao'an finished washing up and stepped outside, Zhao Jingxuan, Ding Minjun, Bei Jinyi, and Zhou Zhiruo were already cultivating beside the river.

Unlike Zhao Jingxuan and Ding Minjun, who had each chosen a separate spot to train alone, Bei Jinyi held a sword in one hand and clasped the other behind her back.

Less than three feet before her, Zhou Zhiruo held her sword level before her. Several sandbags were tied to her arms as she practiced her sword stance.

Morning light shone upon Zhou Zhiruo's stubborn little face, making the beads of sweat on her forehead glimmer faintly.

The path of martial arts was like rowing upstream: if one did not advance, one would fall behind.

Zhou Zhiruo was young and had only just embarked on the path of martial arts. If her foundation was not solid enough, her future achievements would ultimately be limited.

After stepping forward to greet Zhao Jingxuan and the others one by one, Gu Shao'an headed toward Miejue's bamboo courtyard.

Watching Gu Shao'an's retreating figure, Zhou Zhiruo, who was holding her sword stance, asked expectantly, "Third Senior Sister, Little Junior Brother has already condensed inner strength. Will he stand in sword stance with me every day from now on?"

Hearing this, Bei Jinyi replied, "Little Junior Brother is different from us. From now on, Master will personally instruct him in all his cultivation. He will not train with us."

In just a few days, Gu Shao'an had already cultivated Willow Leaf Swordplay to the Achieve Mastery level. Such progress far surpassed Zhao Jingxuan and the others.

If Gu Shao'an were made to train alongside Zhao Jingxuan and the others, they would inevitably be discouraged by his progress over time. It would do more harm than good.

It was more suitable for Miejue to teach him personally.

Learning that Gu Shao'an would not be training with her, a trace of disappointment appeared on Zhou Zhiruo's face.

Knowing that Zhou Zhiruo wanted to spend more time with Gu Shao'an, who was close to her in age, Bei Jinyi shook her head. "Little Junior Brother's talent is extremely high, far beyond ours. The martial arts he will learn next are all the most profound techniques of Emei."

"From now on, you may only seek out Little Junior Brother when he is free, lest you interfere with his cultivation."

Hearing Bei Jinyi's stern tone, Zhou Zhiruo's eyes dimmed somewhat. "Zhiruo understands!"

Bei Jinyi took in Zhou Zhiruo's reaction but did not explain.

Zhou Zhiruo was still too young and did not understand many things. Even if Bei Jinyi explained them, Zhou Zhiruo would not understand.