Bandits Ravage the Land

"Good!"

Abbess Miejue let out a low hum, unable to suppress her delight.

Her figure moved like a phantom, closing in. No longer probing, her left palm also struck towards Gu Shao'an's chest with the Golden Summit Cotton Palm!

Gu Shao'an quickly drew a breath and swung his palm, countering each move.

One large and one small figure, their palms flying in unison.

Zhou Zhiruo, standing nearby, could no longer follow their movements.

Zhao Jingxuan, Ding Minjun, and Bei Jinyi watched with increasingly solemn expressions, shock unconsciously appearing on their faces.

"In just one month, to have cultivated the Golden Summit Cotton Palm to the 'Glimpse the Path' realm. What kind of talent is this?"

In front of the bamboo courtyard, after Gu Shao'an and Abbess Miejue exchanged over a dozen palm strikes, Abbess Miejue suddenly flicked her right fingers in a delicate orchid-like gesture, brushing past Gu Shao'an's eyes. While obscuring his vision, her left palm shot out like a venomous snake.

It was the sixth stance of the Golden Summit Cotton Palm, "Buddha's Light Ferry."

However, this palm strike wasn't aimed at Gu Shao'an's heart, but rather at his shoulder.

The strike was swift, completely locking down the space around Gu Shao'an.

There was no escape!

Gu Shao'an lowered his body and suddenly thrust out a palm, fast and powerful, direct and unyielding, carrying a sense of unstoppable momentum.

Their palms met, and Gu Shao'an used the residual force from the impact to push back about ten feet.

Abbess Miejue pressed her advantage, her palm shadows whistling through the air.

Seeing this, Gu Shao'an raised the wooden sword he had planted in the ground before the exchange.

The wooden sword left its sheath, and a sharp glint flared in Gu Shao'an's eyes!

Just moments before the palm wind reached him, he advanced instead of retreating! His core erupted with astonishing power, twisting and turning. He lacked the softness of the Cotton Palm or the agility of the movement techniques, only the pure ferocity of the Sunset Swordplay!

The force, combined with the effect of Gu Shao'an's "Drawing Sword Like a Rainbow" perk, made his sword strike as fast as a startling rainbow.

But in the next instant, two fingers suddenly rose, directly clamping onto the wooden sword as it descended rapidly through the air.

Stopping Gu Shao'an's attack, Abbess Miejue, however, couldn't stop her own stunned expression.

With two fingers holding the wooden sword, Abbess Miejue stared blankly at Gu Shao'an.

This single move was enough to reveal Gu Shao'an's mastery of the Sunset Swordplay.

He had clearly also entered the "Glimpse the Path" realm.

Abbess Miejue slowly retracted her arm, her wide sleeves falling.

Staring at Gu Shao'an, who stood two steps away, panting and barely steadying himself, her gaze was as deep and profound as an abyss. Beneath her frozen expression, turbulent waves clearly surged.

The young man's steadying breath, his straight back after catching his breath, his hand holding the sword as stable as a mountain, and his exceptionally bright eyes... all confirmed a fact that sent tremors through her heart!

After a long while, Abbess Miejue took a deep breath, her eyes curving into a smile. "In one month, the Sunset Swordplay has gained the power of melting gold, the Golden Summit Cotton Palm has learned the art of deflecting and neutralizing, and Three Manifestations of the Divine Dragon can now be executed with ease. All three martial arts have reached the Glimpse the Path realm! Very good!"

Although their exchange lasted only a hundred breaths, Abbess Miejue's eyesight was incredibly sharp.

Not to mention that the three martial arts Gu Shao'an used were all taught by her. How could Abbess Miejue not see his progress in them?

Hearing Abbess Miejue confirm Gu Shao'an's progress, Zhao Jingxuan, Ding Minjun, and Bei Jinyi's shock intensified.

However, unlike Zhao Jingxuan and Bei Jinyi, who were surprised and delighted by Gu Shao'an's progress and talent, Ding Minjun's jealousy was almost overflowing from her eyes.

Facing Abbess Miejue's praise, Gu Shao'an smiled, a sigh of relief escaping him internally.

The last time he faced Abbess Miejue, Gu Shao'an had just achieved his inner force. Even when using martial arts, he could only manage a few moves at most.

Therefore, strictly speaking, this was the first time Gu Shao'an had truly fought an opponent using his martial arts.

It was impossible for him not to feel nervous.

Fortunately, the outcome was good.

Immediately, Gu Shao'an replied, "Thank you for your praise, Shifu."

[Congratulations to the player for passing the mentorship assessment. Achievement Points +200.]

Glancing at the system message that popped up before him, Gu Shao'an's expression changed slightly.

"As expected, simply completing an assessment yields more Achievement Points than a breakthrough in martial arts realm."

Abbess Miejue smiled gently. "While your progress is gratifying, remember not to become complacent."

"Disciple understands, Shifu. Rest assured."

Seeing Abbess Miejue's gentle and kindly smile and tone, Zhou Zhiruo snapped out of her shock. Her mind couldn't help but imagine a day when she, too, would receive such recognition and praise from Abbess Miejue.

"By the way, a couple of days ago, a disciple stationed in Jiading Prefecture sent a letter back to the mountain. The letter mentioned that in Jiading Prefecture, near Jade Mountain City, bandits have been causing trouble for the past few months. It's rumored that the leaders are also skilled in martial arts."

"Since you've mastered the three martial arts I taught you to the Glimpse the Path level, this time you'll accompany me. It will be a practical test, a chance to build courage and gain experience."

Gu Shao'an hadn't expected to be sent down the mountain again so soon, having only joined the Emei Sect for just over a month.

"Everything is as Shifu decides."

Abbess Miejue nodded and said, "Since that's the case, we'll depart in two days. Remember to pack your things. If you're unsure what to bring, you can ask your senior sisters."

Seeing that Abbess Miejue was about to return to the bamboo courtyard, Gu Shao'an quickly said, "Shifu, your disciple has successfully cultivated the first level of the Emei Nine Yang Skill. I request that you teach me the subsequent inner force cultivation methods."

Upon hearing Gu Shao'an's words, Abbess Miejue was initially taken aback. However, recalling Gu Shao'an's nearly secluded cultivation over the past month, she soon felt at ease.

"Since that's the case, follow me inside!"

With that, Abbess Miejue scanned Zhao Jingxuan and the others before speaking, "Furthermore, Minjun and Zhiruo, you will come too! If I encounter any issues while away, I will need Minjun to look after Zhiruo and Shao'an."

Ding Minjun quickly responded, "This disciple obeys."

After Zhou Zhiruo responded, her face showed a look of joy.

Abbess Miejue waved her hand to signal, and the others, understanding the cue, dispersed.

However, after they dispersed, Abbess Miejue's gaze lingered on Ding Minjun's back without a trace.

A resolute look flashed in her eyes.

The shift in her thoughts made Abbess Miejue's expression inexplicably gloomy for a moment. But when her gaze shifted back to Gu Shao'an, she felt as if her eyes were bathed in a clear spring, and her mood immediately improved considerably.

Even the gloom in her heart seemed to be dispelled by more than half in that instant.

Leading Gu Shao'an into the bamboo courtyard, Abbess Miejue casually asked, "To what level have you mastered the first level of the Emei Nine Yang Skill?"

Facing Abbess Miejue, Gu Shao'an replied, "Before coming here, your disciple had just cultivated the Emei Nine Yang Skill to the Great Accomplishment stage."

It wasn't that Gu Shao'an didn't trust Abbess Miejue.

But comprehension was immeasurable. No matter how quickly Gu Shao'an improved in martial arts, others would only consider him to have extraordinary comprehension and wouldn't suspect anything else.

However, one's aptitude could be measured.

Gu Shao'an's aptitude was already of the superior level. To cultivate the first level of the Emei Nine Yang Skill to the perfect stage within a month—this progress could rival that of heavenly prodigies with peerless aptitude.

How could Abbess Miejue not be suspicious?

It would inevitably lead to complications.

Anything done to excess was ultimately harmful and unbeneficial.

Rather than telling the whole truth, it was better to conceal a part of it. This would not only save a lot of trouble but also ensure that others would never know Gu Shao'an's true strength.