Immortal Caresses My Crown

Gu Shao'an caught the bamboo sword without refusing. After closing his eyes to review it for a moment, he began wielding the bamboo sword in accordance with the remembered Sunset Swordplay.

As he practiced, Gu Shao'an also mobilized the true qi within his dantian, circulating it according to the mental cultivation formula of Sunset Swordplay.

However, Sunset Swordplay was already more complex and obscure than the Willow Leaf Swordplay Gu Shao'an had learned last time. This time, he also had to execute the Sword Moves while maintaining the circulation of the mental formula, naturally causing the difficulty to rise sharply.

As a result, Gu Shao'an's sword was extremely slow.

Paired with his childish face, he truly embodied the phrase "a child learning the sword," moving at an exceptionally sluggish pace.

Yet in Miejue's eyes, although Gu Shao'an's sword was slow and his movements lacked precision and sharpness, the Sword Moves were indeed those of Sunset Swordplay.

After all thirty-six Sword Moves had been performed once, Miejue could confirm that Gu Shao'an had indeed memorized all the content of Sunset Swordplay.

However, unlike when he had learned Willow Leaf Swordplay last time, when Gu Shao'an had mastered it to the level of Ascend the Hall after just a few attempts—

This time, Gu Shao'an stopped after practicing Sunset Swordplay once. He did not trigger the effect of Sudden Enlightenment on his first attempt.

Gu Shao'an was not surprised, and Miejue, standing beside him, also found it perfectly reasonable.

After all, Sunset Swordplay could not be compared to Willow Leaf Swordplay. It was not something one could comprehend in a short time.

If Gu Shao'an could gain insight and reach the level of Ascend the Hall the very first time he practiced any swordplay, just as he had with Willow Leaf Swordplay—

Then Miejue would instead have to wonder what exactly the thing standing before her was.

Seeing Gu Shao'an come to a stop, Miejue spoke again. "Remember, this swordplay requires the unity of move intent, force, and qi circulation to unleash its greatest power."

"Moreover, Patriarch Guo Xiang created this swordplay after observing the setting sun at dusk. In the future, you may practice Sunset Swordplay when the western sun slants low. It may aid your cultivation."

Gu Shao'an nodded. "This disciple understands."

After stepping forward again and switching places with Gu Shao'an, Miejue said, "You have already learned the Emei Nine Yang Skill as your internal art, and you have both Willow Leaf Swordplay and Sunset Swordplay as sword techniques. What you lack now is skill with the hands and a lightness technique."

"This palm art is Golden Summit Cotton Palm, the finest palm art of our Emei. Watch carefully."

As soon as she finished speaking, Miejue raised both hands. Her palms whirled through several moves before her left palm suddenly traced an arc as though pushing aside clouds, while her right palm remained concealed beneath her ribs, secretly gathering force. Then it shot forth with the speed of an arrow!

"First move, Flowing Clouds Cover the Moon. Qi Walks Taiyin, Passing Yunmen, Gathering Sharp Force at the Palm's Edge, then pouring through the Chize Acupoint into the palm—Force Like Silver Needles Piercing Armor!"

Miejue's body then turned, and her palms crossed, transforming into ten afterimages like cold mist sealing the path before abruptly coming together and driving forward.

"Second move, Qi Surges Yongquan, Ascending to Yufu Acupoint, Entering Jueyin, Laogong Acupoint—strike straight at the enemy's Danzhong Acupoint! Palm Strike Like a Glacier Cracking!"

After teaching Gu Shao'an all nine palm moves and their mental cultivation formulas one by one, Miejue did not ask him to perform them this time. Instead, she instructed him to attack her with the bamboo sword in hand.

Understanding Miejue's intention, Gu Shao'an cupped his hands. "This disciple begs forgiveness for the offense."

With that, Gu Shao'an strode forward, the green bamboo cutting through the air in his hand.

As the bamboo sword thrust toward Miejue, its tip trembled like drifting willow fluff, floating unpredictably.

It was the eighth move of Willow Leaf Swordplay, Willow Flakes Fall on Cold River.

Gu Shao'an's sword was very fast. In Miejue's view, even disciples who had joined Emei years ago could not compare to Gu Shao'an's current speed.

However, Miejue could also clearly sense that Gu Shao'an had not used any internal force when he attacked.

To Miejue, it was obvious that he was worried about hurting her.

At that, Miejue could not help but smile.

Though his conduct was somewhat amusing, his respect for his master and the proper path only made Miejue more satisfied.

In an instant, one end of the green bamboo in Gu Shao'an's hand had entered within three feet of Miejue. Just as it seemed it would strike her in the next moment, Miejue, whose hands had been clasped behind her back, moved.

Miejue abruptly raised both palms, and her left palm lightly lifted to touch Gu Shao'an's bamboo sword.

The block appeared casual, but Gu Shao'an distinctly felt layers of soft, yielding force divide into three streams and travel along the wooden sword into his hand, making his sword-gripping right hand tremble uncontrollably.

At the same time, as she raised her hand to brush aside the wooden sword, Miejue's right palm, hidden beneath her ribs, struck out in an instant toward Gu Shao'an's forehead.

Miejue's movements were not particularly fast, and she had not even used internal force. Gu Shao'an could clearly see every one of her movements.

But Miejue's timing was simply too perfect.

It was precisely when the force behind Gu Shao'an's sword had been exhausted and he could not recover in time.

Thus, even though Gu Shao'an saw Miejue's movements with perfect clarity, there was nothing he could do. He could only watch as Miejue's right palm drew ever closer to his forehead.

Until it stopped an inch before him.

"Again."

Miejue withdrew her hand and spoke with a soft smile.

Gu Shao'an steadied his mind. After nodding, he raised the bamboo sword once more.

Yet whenever his Sword Move had only just begun, Miejue's palms would become like pine winds sweeping through countless ravines. No matter how Gu Shao'an struck, Miejue would effortlessly block him.

Gradually, as palm and sword interwove between them, Gu Shao'an's Sword Moves began to change. His strikes alternated between feints and substance; of ten parts of force, he used five and held five in reserve.

They now carried a hint of balanced offense and defense, a sword as light and elusive as willow fluff.

This change made Miejue secretly nod.

When martial artists faced an enemy, the greatest taboo was staking everything on a single strike.

Once a move was broken, the enemy might press forward while one's force had yet to return. That was truly unwise.

One should let moves arise with the heart. Even while launching a move, one had to be able to withdraw or alter it at any moment. Only then could one adapt to changing circumstances.

Miejue had originally intended to point out this issue to Gu Shao'an after a while. She had not expected him to realize it so quickly and adjust on his own.

He truly was extraordinary.

What teacher did not like an outstanding student? Especially when that student was their own.

The more Miejue looked at Gu Shao'an now, the more satisfied she became.

Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Miejue said, "Next is the ninth move of Golden Summit Cotton Palm—Immortal Caresses My Crown. Watch carefully."

With that, Miejue's palm wind suddenly changed. Her hands whirled, and without using internal force, she brought forth a sky full of palm shadows that enveloped Gu Shao'an.

No matter how Gu Shao'an responded, Miejue's palms always appeared a step ahead at the position of his Tianling.

Even knowing that Miejue would not hurt him—

The intermittent chill wind brushing against his forehead and the top of his head still soaked Gu Shao'an's back with sweat.

Gu Shao'an had never imagined that there could be martial arts so vicious in this world.

What Immortal Caresses My Crown? It was clearly every palm shattering Tianling.

It would beat your skull into mush.