Sword Name: Cheng Xin

Time flows like water.

Inside the bamboo hut, Gu Shao'an's inner force flowed smoothly.

In just two days, Gu Shao'an's inner force had increased by an amount that would have taken him five days of prior cultivation.

While this significant change was partly due to the more profound nature of the inner force cultivation technique, the larger reason was that Gu Shao'an had first cultivated the first layer of the Emei Nine Yang Skill to Perfection before proceeding to the second layer.

This had brought the source of his inner force to an extremely pure state, allowing his inner force to grow much faster.

Not only that, but over the past month, the feedback from his inner force, combined with his body's growth, had also improved the width and resilience of Gu Shao'an's meridians.

His daily cultivation time for the inner force technique had also increased by half an hour.

This feeling of his inner force increasing every moment gave Gu Shao'an a sense of craving more.

If his meridians could withstand it, Gu Shao'an could have sat from morning till night, dedicating himself entirely to cultivating inner force.

[Congratulations to the player for cultivating inner force for half an hour, Achievement Points +5.]

As the notification appeared before Gu Shao'an, the first rays of morning sunlight streamed into the bamboo hut through the window.

Gu Shao'an then guided all his inner force back to his Dantian before beginning to change and wash up.

He picked up the scabbard containing his wooden sword and flicked it towards the table. The bundle he had packed the night before was lifted by the scabbard and slid into his hand.

When Gu Shao'an arrived at Miejue's bamboo courtyard, Ding Minjun and Zhou Zhiruo were already waiting at the entrance.

Seeing Gu Shao'an, dressed in a blue and white martial arts uniform, with his dark hair tied back by a headband, and possessing a handsome and refined appearance, it wasn't just Zhou Zhiruo, but even Ding Minjun couldn't help but praise him inwardly.

However, in an instant, Ding Minjun's expression turned cold, and she spoke with a chill.

"As a disciple, when your master has instructions, you should have come to wait much earlier. How can you be so late?"

Her opening words immediately placed her on a moral high ground as she reprimanded Gu Shao'an.

Gu Shao'an had only joined the Emei Sect a little over a month ago, and on this back mountain, he had been meticulously following all the rules and etiquette.

Yet, even so, Gu Shao'an could still sense Ding Minjun's dislike for him from her gaze.

The reason, he surmised, was none other than her jealousy of his innate talent.

For the past month, he had kept a low profile, not only dedicating himself to cultivation but also trying to minimize contact with Ding Minjun to avoid unpleasantness and ruining his mood.

He hadn't expected Ding Minjun to still stir up trouble now. He hadn't done anything, yet she was scolding him, leveraging her status as a senior sister.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Gu Shao'an's mind at this, but his expression remained unchanged. He cupped his fists and said, "Second Senior Sister is right. If there's a next time, I, Shao'an, will definitely remember to wait in advance."

His attitude was serious and humble, as if he truly recognized his mistake.

This reaction, however, caused Ding Minjun's next words of reprimand to get stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken or swallowed, leaving her inexplicably stifled.

Just then, the previously closed bamboo courtyard door suddenly opened.

Miejue, clad in a plain robe, stepped out from within.

Upon seeing Miejue, Gu Shao'an, Zhou Zhiruo, and Ding Minjun quickly bowed.

"Disciple greets Master."

Miejue let out a soft "Mm," her gaze briefly sweeping over Ding Minjun before glancing at Zhou Zhiruo.

Only when her gaze settled on Gu Shao'an did her eyes soften slightly.

She brought her right hand out from behind her back, revealing a long sword.

The silver scabbard was intricately carved with patterns, and in the center of the scabbard, delicate patterns converged to form two characters: "Cheng Xin."

As the three looked at the sword blade in Miejue's hand, Miejue gently raised her hand and tossed the sword directly towards Gu Shao'an.

As Gu Shao'an caught the long sword, Miejue spoke, "Shao'an, although you are young, you possess a Born with a Sword Bone, and your arm muscles and bones far exceed those of ordinary people. Even without tempering, they are not inferior to those of a regular martial artist. A wooden sword is indeed unsuitable for you."

Miejue's tone was gentle as she continued, "Try this sword and see how it feels?"

Hearing this, Gu Shao'an did not refuse. After carefully examining the long sword in his hand, he held the scabbard horizontally in front of him with his left hand and gripped the hilt with his right.

The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, the Perk "Drawing Sword Like a Rainbow" was triggered, giving Gu Shao'an a sense of long-lost familiarity.

It felt as if this sword had long belonged to Gu Shao'an and had been used countless times.

As his fingers tightened on the hilt, the blade slowly slid out of the scabbard.

A cold glint immediately reflected in Gu Shao'an's eyes along the gleaming white blade.

When the entire long sword was unsheathed, its snow-white blade shone with a cold light under the morning sun.

It was clearly no ordinary item.

His gaze swept over the blade, and Gu Shao'an swung the sword, executing several moves. His movements were not fast, as if he were adapting to the new sword in his hand.

After a few breaths, Gu Shao'an suddenly thrust the sword towards the side. Just as he was about to stop, his wrist flicked, and the sword tip instantly produced five or six afterimages, resembling willow catkins flying in the wind.

Miejue nodded as she took in this move, which was derived from "Floss Shadow Thousandfold" within the Willow Leaf Swordplay.

She thought to herself, As expected of someone Born with a Sword Bone. Even holding a real sword blade for the first time, he shows no discomfort. Instead, the Cheng Xin sword in his hand feels like an extension of his own arm.

In fact, Gu Shao'an felt no discomfort at all as he held the Cheng Xin sword at that moment.

He could even feel that the sword in his hand, compared to the wooden swords he usually used, no longer felt so light and flimsy. Instead, it felt much more natural to wield.

Feeling inspired, Gu Shao'an couldn't help but try out a few sword stances in succession. Only then did he sheathe the long sword with satisfaction, a joyful expression on his face.

"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this sword upon me."

Miejue smiled and replied, "This Cheng Xin sword was forged by skilled craftsmen that our Grandmaster found for me when I came of age. It's a decent weapon. Today, I shall gift this sword to you, hoping that in the future, you will be as clear and pure as its name suggests, hold fast to your original intentions, and bring honor to the Emei Sect."

Gu Shao'an said with a solemn expression, "This disciple will surely remember Master's teachings."

Ding Minjun, standing nearby, looked at the Cheng Xin sword in Gu Shao'an's hand, her eyes practically burning with unconcealed jealousy.

This Cheng Xin sword was forged from a special ore within Emei back in the day.

Although it couldn't cut through iron like the Heavenly Sword, it was definitely considered top-grade.

Even the sword Ding Minjun carried was inferior to it in many ways.

Ding Minjun had once found an opportunity to subtly hint that she wanted Miejue to give her this Cheng Xin sword, but Miejue had acted as if she hadn't heard a word.

Yet, when it came to Gu Shao'an, Miejue proactively gifted him the sword without Gu Shao'an even needing to ask.

This made Ding Minjun curse Miejue's favoritism in her heart.

Consequently, as she looked at Gu Shao'an, the coldness in Ding Minjun's eyes intensified.